Smith responds to Warne’s praise of the Indian Test team

Cricket legend Shane Warne has declared India “clearly the best Test team in the world” after taking a 2-1 series lead over England.

India won the fourth Test at The Oval by 157 runs to close in on a first series victory on English soil since 2007.

“Congratulations Virat Kohli & the entire Indian team on another terrific win,” Warne tweeted.

“What you guys have all achieved together over the last 12 months is absolutely magnificent! Clearly the best test team in the world & that title is thoroughly deserved too!”

Former New Zealand wicketkeeper turned broadcaster, Ian Smith, isn’t surprised Warne has taken that view despite the Blackcaps defeating India in June’s World Test Championship Final.

“My thoughts are that he’s very clever, Shane Warne. He’s cleverer than a lot of people give him credit for,” Smith told SENZ Mornings.

“One, it pumps up India’s tyres. Two, in a weird sort of way it pumps up England’s tyres by saying, ‘Don’t be surprised if India can beat you because they are by far the best cricket team in the world going around at the moment’.

Congratulations .@imVkohli & the entire Indian team on another terrific win. What you guys have all achieved together over the last 12 months is absolutely magnificent ! Clearly the best test team in the world & that title is thoroughly deserved too ! Long live test cricket ❤️❤️

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) September 6, 2021

Hahaha fair point that partner !!!!!! But a one of test is different to a test series 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/Oo44Kw2Qlc

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) September 6, 2021

“And the other thing it does is it winds people up and he always looks for reactions - he did on the field, and he’s carried on doing it off the field.

“It’s quite a clever comment.”

The Blackcaps are the No.1 ranked Test side in the world ahead of India, Australia and England.