The rivalry of Virat Kohli and Steve Smith is reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in football in modern times. The two batting maestros have divided opinions and leapfrogged each other to the numero uno spot in Test rankings on several occasion. Their sets of fans have argued, and counter-argued bringing up the facts to portray the greatness of their favourite batsman. Former Australian skipper Steve Smith was playing Test cricket after a gap of one-year courtesy his ban for Sandpapergate scandal has been unstoppable against England in the Ashes 2019. While Virat Kohli was away in the Caribbean for India’s Tour of West Indies 2019, where he had an average tour by his high standards. But his famous rival pipped him to the top of the ranking by virtue of yet another century against ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 champions England. Steve Smith Best in Test Cricket While Virat Kohli on Top Across Formats, Says Shane Warne.

Virat Kohli leads Steve Smith in the number of Tests played with the Indian skipper having played 79 to Smith’s 67. But it is the Aussie batsman who has scored more runs in fewer innings with 6788 runs to Virat’s 6749. While it is only a matter of time that these numbers change, but Steve Smith has to be given credit for a better batting average of 64.64 compared to Virat Kohli’s 53.14. In terms of average, the Australian batsman has a lead that will be difficult for his rival Virat Kohli to match. In terms of century and fifties, they are again neck to neck. While Virat Kohli has 25 centuries and 22 half-centuries, Steve Smith has 26 centuries and 25 fifties against his name.

Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli - Test Cricket Comparison

Players No. of Tests Played Runs 100s 50s Average
Virat Kohli 79 6749 25 22 53.14
Steve Smith 67 6788 26 25 64.64

While many will argue that Steve Smith would have raced clear in this battle of greatness had he not lost a year of cricket. But the spirit of the game is always an important factor, and this is where Smith ceded the ground to Kohli. For neutrals, it is a privilege watching two of the finest players of the game raise the bar with their poetic batting style. They are hard to catch up for the others and the only one that can even come close to them are Kane Williamson and Joe Root.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 06, 2019 01:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).