Even by his own lofty standards, Steve Smith knows he had raised the bar when he raised the bat in Pune.
Australian captain Smith has given a frank insight into the "trance" he entered while scoring a century during the first Test against India in Pune.
The second-innings knock of 109 featured several chances, as can be expected on a pitch branded "poor" by the match referee. It had been leadership personified and one of many recent examples of why Smith is regarded so highly.
Aiming to make it six tons from six consecutive Tests against India, Smith said everything clicked and he was "in the zone" during the first Test.
"I was doing things that I probably haven't done before. My eyes were sort of spinning and I was in a bit of a trance," Smith recalled on the eve of the second Test, starting on Saturday in Bangalore.
"I've been there a couple of times in that kind of mindset. For me, it was just such an important period of the game and I knew, if we could get (a lead of) 300 or over that .. we'd be a real good chance to win.
"That afternoon, I was very determined and focused on the job at hand, to try and get as many as we could.
"Hopefully, I can bring that next level and next gear out. It was pleasing to know I had that level in me."
Smith could tick off another important milestone during the 2nd Test. The right-hander needs a further 112 runs to celebrate 5000 Test runs.
If the 27-year-old achieves that tally in his next innings, the 95th of his Test career, it will mean only Don Bradman and Jack Hobbs have reached the milestone in fewer knocks.
Smith's Test batting average in Border-Gavaskar contests stands at 88.83. No player from either country has achieved such a high number, with Ravi Shastri (77.75) and David Boon (70.82) next in line.
Coach Darren Lehmann regarded Smith's recent knock as the best of his 18 Test tons, given the captain batted the top-ranked Test side out of the contest on a raging turner, prepared to suit India's two star spinners.
"I haven't seen him so determined," Lehmann said.
If Smith continues to lead from the front during the four-Test series, it will trigger more debate about where he sits on the list of Australia's greatest batsmen.
Last month, Smith joined Bradman as one of four players to average more than 60 with the bat through 50 Tests.
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