Sydney, Nov. 24 -- Australia top-order batsman Steve Smith has played down chances of verbal duels during the upcoming series against India, saying that playing regularly with each other has made sledging look awkward these days.

Sledging used to be a common phenomenon against visiting teams in Australia. But things have changed nowadays, says Smith.

Many of the Australian players, including Smith, David Warner and limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch, were part of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League that finished less than a fortnight back in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"People talk so much about sledging and stuff. But it is very little that happens in our days. I think probably it has a lot to do with things like IPL that...