Steve Smith smashed centuries, broke records and eclipsed new heights on his return to Test cricket after a year ban. Smith’s twin centuries in the first Ashes Test made him only the fifth Australian cricketer to score a hundred in both of innings of a Test match and the fastest to reach 25 Test centuries. But to Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli remains the world’s best batsman. “He is the best,” said Sehwag when asked to draw comparisons between two of this generation’s greatest batsmen. Kohli himself slammed consecutive ODI tons against West Indies and re-wrote several records held by Sachin Tendulkar.  Virat Kohli Can Break THESE Records Held by Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma on India vs West Indies 2019 Tour.

"Virat Kohli is a much better player than Steve Smith,” said Sehwag, 40, in an exclusive interview with the Times of India on the sidelines of an app launch in New Delhi. “If you look at Kohli and Smith (while batting), Kohli looks much more pleasing to the eyes in comparison with Smith. He is the number one batsman in the world.”  Virat Kohli One Win Away From Equalling MS Dhoni’s Test Captaincy Record of Most Wins as Indian Captain.

Expect Sehwag to be blatantly clear and explosive when he speaks, just like his batting. The former Indian opening batsman tipped Kohli to break most of Tendulkar’s records. Kohli himself has multiple records to his name and is a modern-day run-machine. “The way he is scoring centuries, I am sure he will break most of Sachin Tendulkar’s records,” Sehwag told the national daily.

Virat Kohli on Verge of Equalling Ricky Ponting's Record in THIS Elite Test List When India Face West Indies.

"At the moment, Virat (Kohli) is the best batsman. The way he is scoring centuries, he is the best. I am sure he will break most of Sachin Tendulkar’s records.” But Sehwag is an explosive batsman. He credits Kohli for breaking records and backs him to break more. But everything barring one.

Kohli has 43 ODI centuries and is seven short of equalling Tendulkar’s record of 49 hundred in One-Day internationals. He also has 25 Test tons and is just a touch behind the Master Blaster’s 51 Test centuries in 200 games.

"The one record no one can break is his (Sachin) 200 Test matches record. I don’t think anyone can break his record of playing 200 Test matches. I don’t think anybody can play more than 200 Test matches.” Sachin retired after his 200th Test at his home ground against the West Indies.

Sehwag also backed India to beat West Indies in the two-match Test series and get off to a perfect start in their World Test Championship campaign. "The West Indies team don't have quality players in their side who can give competition to this Indian team. I am sure India will win the two-match Test series 2-0," Sehwag said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 22, 2019 02:46 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).