"Steve Smith might get the captaincy of Australia if there's not much other choice" - Ian Chappell

Former Australia captain Ian Chappell reckons star batsman Steve Smith could be reinstated as the Aussie skipper if there are no other choices left.

Steve Smith was stripped off his captaincy and banned for 12 months due to his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal - Sandpapergate - against South Africa in 2018.

However, current Test skipper Tim Paine's questionable tactics against India have brought his leadership skills under severe scrutiny. Barring Pat Cummins, there is no other realistic option as far as Australia's next captain is concerned.

Tim Paine reflects on being outplayed by a disciplined and tough side.Congratulations, India! 👏#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/vSbYVvZIM2

— ICC (@ICC) January 19, 2021

Speaking to 'Wide World of Sports', Ian Chappell estimated the chances of Steve Smith being recalled as Australia's next captain.

"Yeah sure, he might get the captaincy again but I think it's only going to be in circumstances where there's not much other choice," Ian Chappell said.

Steve Smith's crime in my eyes was greater than David Warner's: Ian Chappell

David Warner and Steve Smith

While both Steve Smith and David Warner were banned for 12 months each for their involvement in Sandpapergate, the bans on their leadership were different.

Warner was handed a lifetime leadership ban, meaning he can never captain Australia again.

However, Steve Smith was handed a 24-month ban from captaincy, which expired in March last year. This somewhat baffled Ian Chappell, as he feels the 31-year-old had a lion's share in being responsible for the ball-tampering scandal.

"Why aren't Smith and Warner in the same category? If Smith only gets a 12 (24) month ban on captaincy, why doesn't Warner only get that?" Chappell asked.

Although the idea to tamper the ball was Warner's, Steve Smith allowed it to happen despite being the captain of Australia. Thus, Ian Chappell believes both Smith and Warner should have got equal leadership bans.

"Or if Warner gets a lifetime ban on captaincy, why doesn't Smith? Because Smith's crime in my eyes was greater than Warner's," he further added.

While former Australian cricketers Brett Lee and Adam Gilchrist have thrown their weight behind Tim Paine to continue as captain, it remains to be seen what lies ahead for the 36-year-old.

Good evening from Gabba!! I am sorry I couldn’t play here but thanks for hosting us and playing some hard cricket during these tough times. We will remember this series forever! @tdpaine36 @CricketAus

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) January 19, 2021

Losing his second home Test series in a row against India as skipper will surely be seen as a failure on Tim Paine's part. The upcoming three-match Test series against South Africa might be his last chance of holding on to the Test captaincy.