IPL has made players friendly & taken shine out of sledging, says Smith (Ld)

Sydney, Nov 24 : Australia top-order batsman Steve Smith has played down chances of verbal duels during the upcoming series against India, saying that playing regularly with each other has made sledging look awkward these days.
Sledging used to be a common phenomenon against visiting teams in Australia. But things have changed nowadays, says Smith.
Many of the Australian players, including Smith, David Warner and limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch, were part of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League that finished less than a fortnight back in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“People talk so much about sledging and stuff. But it is very little that happens in our days. I think probably it has a lot to do with things like IPL that brings together players from all around the world. So for instance if you get stuck into someone one day, you might be playing with them a few days later or a few months later. So it is awkward. Obviously, it doesn’t happen so much nowadays,” said Smith on Tuesday while speaking to reporters.
Asked if he has been able to get a hang of Indian bowlers during the IPL, the Aussie batsman praised the bowlers and said, “It doesn’t hurt (having played them in IPL). (But) international cricket is different. They are all bowling together. They have got a very good bowling lineup. They have proven that over the last few years. It is going to be an exciting summer for us.” Declining to enter into individual rivalry with any of the bowlers, the 31-year-old said, “I don’t know (which bowler to look forward to). They are all good bowlers. They’ve got good records and have done well for quite some time. I can’t pinpoint any one bowler. You know as a collective we have to play them well.”