While the Indians were fretting over Steve Smith and the DRS controversy surrounding him after the Bangalore Test, the Australia cricket team skipper made a quick dash to Jalandhar.

The media were busy covering the DRS gate that he was involved in but the Australian skipper had very little concern about it. Steve Smith made a visit to FC Sondhi Sports Company, a company that manufactures bats for him.

Smith visited the factory a day ahead of Holi along with a representative from shoes and apparel company New Balance, as he sports their sticker on his bats. He spent nearly 5-6 hours at the factory and took keen interest in knowing how his bats, gloves and leg-guards were made.

“We have been associated with Steve Smith and New Balance for three years. He is very particular about his bats. He gives strict weight specifications for his bat. He showed interest in coming to the factory and experience the whole process in person. He was surprised to see close to 220-270 material pieces were required to make a pair of gloves. He wanted to pick a few things for the remaining series,” said Suresh Dutt Rishi, general manager of FC Sondhi & Co. Pvt Ltd.

He further added that this was the first visit the Aussie captain had made to the factory. He called Smith to be a very calm guy who wishes to explore new things. Smith is very particular about the weight of his bat. He makes sure that the bat weighs 2lbs and 9 oz.

“Smith came across as a very relaxed guy who wants to explore new things and wants to go to the depth of everything which matters to him. It was his first visit to the factory and it has now become easier for us to cater to his cricket goods needs. We wish he hammers a century in Ranchi as well as in Dharamsala and does well with the bats he has taken from us recently,” said Dutt.

Smith got a bat finished and a handle fitted in front of him and took it with him along with three other bats and gloves and leg-guards. After spending time in the factory, Smith also enjoyed the Punjabi hospitality in Jalandhar. He gorged on chicken malai tikka along with chicken pizza.

So when Steve Smith takes guard in the crucial Ranchi Test vs India cricket team on Thursday, the bat in his hand could be the one he picked up from the Jalandhar-based FC Sondhi sports company.