'Something clicked': run-machine Smith warns India he's back in top gear

Steve Smith warned India that he was ready to justify his ranking as the world's top Test batsman.

SYDNEY (AFP) - Australia s Steve Smith warned India on Tuesday that his game had finally "clicked" and he was ready to justify his ranking as the world s top Test batsman.

Smith admitted he was unhappy with his recent displays for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, saying "I never really got into a good rhythm".

But he believed something changed this week as he prepared for the upcoming series against India, which starts with a one-day international in Sydney on Friday.

"Over the last few days I ve sort of found my hands, which I m extremely excited about," he told reporters on a conference call.

"It s taken me about three or four months to do it but I ve found them now which is pleasing."

The 31-year-old said it was difficult to define what was different, but it left him "with a big smile on my face" and eager to hit the practice nets.

"It s getting that feel, the look of the bat, getting the toe the right way, the way my hands come up on the bat," he said.

"It s hard to explain but it hasn t been right up until about two days ago, then something sort of clicked in."

While there is a perception Smith is vulnerable to short-pitched deliveries, he was unfazed at the prospect of India s bowling attack peppering him with bouncers.

"It s a kind of flattery in a way, if that s the only way people believe they can get me out because they ve exhausted so many options," he said.

"It gives me a lot of confidence."

He said his problems in the IPL stemmed from a failure to play his natural game.

"I got caught up a little bit with trying to be too powerful, that s not quite my game," he said.

"There are players around the world who can hit sixes at will -- and I am not one of those -- for me it s about playing proper cricket shots, hitting the gaps, manipulating the field."

Smith, who lost the Australian captaincy when he was banned for his part in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, played down his prospects of resuming leadership duties.

He said he was focused on supporting Test captain Tim Paine and limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch, but did not completely rule out his future chances.

"I haven t given a great deal of thought to it, it s just about doing my job at the moment and we ll see what the future holds," he said.

Australia and India will play three one-dayers, three Twenty20 matches and four Tests during the tour.