Will Steve Smith's new cricketing gear give him an edge for the IPL?

He may have had a bitter tour of India, but Australia captain Steve Smith is now ready to roar in his ‘Puneri avatar’ for the Indian Premier League. Smith, who is known to be meticulous about his cricketing gear, recently made a trip to Jalandhar to top off his kit.

In the Punjab city, Smith headed to FC Sondhi sports company, where he spent several hours at the factory, taking an interest in knowing how his bats, gloves and leg-guards were made.

The company has been making Smith’s bat and cricket gear for three years.

“Smith is very particular about his bats and gives strict weight specification of 1.16 kg. It was his first visit to the factory and it is now easier for us to cater to his cricket goods needs,” Suresh Dutt, general manager of the sports company said. Armed with new armour, Smith seems to be all set for a blitzing IPL season.