India vs Australia 1st Test: "Ash is a quality bowler but.." Steve Smith Responses to Spinners' Trouble in BGT

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Australia's trouble in India has been rooted in their struggle to tackle the mystery of Indian spinners throughout the years.

From the devastation of Harbhajan Singh in the 2001 Test Series to the emergence of the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Ravindra Jadeja and co, Australia have always found things difficult when the ball is turning.

And to make amends, the visitors have taken up some measurements to prepare for the test. Since landing in India, the Aussies have undergone rigorous training with local Indian spinners, and one of those local names is Mahesh Pithiya, whose action is alike India's prime spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

The Aussie batters will be taking the field in Nagpur with the consolation in the mind that they have encountered someone whose action is similar to Ashwin, and will perhaps be hoping to gain some confidence from that. As they focus to tackle the threat, Aussie batter Steve Smith was asked whether the visitors are giving too much importance to Ashwin.

"There have been many off-spinners we played and Mahesh is one of them. He bowls a similar style (to that) of Ashwin. We are not overthinking things. Ash is a quality bowler but we have the tools in our kit bag to counter that," Smith said during a media conference.

The Nagpur pitch has been curated with care for the upcoming Test and Smith reckons there will be spin for the left-arm spinners to nullify the left-handed batters of the away side.

"Pretty dry, particularly one end. I think it will take a bit of spin, particularly the left-arm spinner taking it into our left-handers. There's a section there that's quite dry," Smith added.

India have both Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel in the squad and reports suggest both left-arm spinners may feature in the Nagpur Test.

The Australian side will be hoping to put an end to their miserable form against India in Test matches, but they already have some key players missing due to injury. Mitchell Starc, Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood won't play any part at least in the first Test in Nagpur, and Smith thinks that will be a blow although believes Scott Boland can have a positive impact in the Nagpur pitch.

"Hazlewood injury is a big loss for us, but Lance (Morris) is a good bowler. Boland has been good. His natural length will suit this kind of pitch. Lance obviously has a pace in the air," Smith concluded.