Damien Martyn denies calls to drop Steve Smith from Australian cricket team

In Australia, following a humiliating defeat to India in the first Test, pressure has mounted on several players, including Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. The Australian team suffered its worst home Test loss in nearly a century, drawing sharp criticism from fans and former players alike. In this context, some supporters have suggested that Smith and Labuschagne should be sent back to Sheffield Shield for some time away from international cricket. Damien Martyn, a former Test player, found himself in the spotlight when his social media engagement was misconstrued as supporting the idea of dropping Smith. He clarified that his use of emojis was merely for interaction, not an endorsement of such a decision. Moreover, Mitchell Johnson, another former Australian cricketer, called for Labuschagne to face a similar fate due to poor performances. Johnson argued that resting Labuschagne could help him regain form away from the pressures of international matches. Despite these calls for changes, neither Smith nor Labuschagne are expected to be dropped for the upcoming second Test. The situation has emphasized the scrutiny players face following disappointing performances and ignited discussions about team selection strategies moving forward.