The debate and quest to find out ‘who is best’ between Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli is common amongst fans and analyst. Despite both wasn’t a clash or fight, and an instance of sportsmanship exhibited by Kohli.
During a World Cup game at The Oval, Smith, who was fielding, faced continuous jeering and chants of ‘cheater‘ from Indian fans.
This was in the aftermath of Smith’s return to international cricket following a year-long ban due to his involvement in a ball-tampering incident. Kohli intervened, gesturing to the crowd to stop booing and instead cheer for Smith.
Kohli explained his action as an effort to prevent the crowd from setting a bad example and expressed sympathy for Smith, acknowledging the hard work he had put in to return to international cricket.
Kohli also mentioned that he had seen similar situations in the IPL and felt that such behavior towards a player was not acceptable. But, even for this positivity, the comparison between Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith are still continue.
Summary & Key Takeaways
ShowSteve Smith vs Virat Kohli: A Comparison
- Background of the Debate
- The debate over who is better between Steve Smith and Virat Kohli is common among fans and analysts.
- An instance of sportsmanship was highlighted when Kohli asked Indian fans to stop booing Smith during a World Cup game at The Oval.
- Smith was facing jeers after returning from a year-long ban due to a ball-tampering incident.
- Kohli's gesture was an effort to set a positive example and show sympathy for Smith's hard work in returning to international cricket.
- Steve Smith's Profile
- Born on June 2, 1989.
- Evolved from a leg spinner to a prolific batsman.
- Impressive statistics in Test cricket with an average of 58.61.
- Played key roles in Australia's victories in multiple ICC tournaments.
- Received several prestigious awards, including the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy.
- Virat Kohli's Profile
- Born on November 5, 1988.
- Known for record-breaking performances across all formats.
- Holds the highest run-scorer record in T20I and IPL.
- Named ICC's male cricketer of the decade in 2020.
- Has won multiple awards, including the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy.
- Comparison Criteria
- Career Span and Experience: Kohli started his international career earlier than Smith.
- Performance in Different Formats: Smith excels in Test cricket, while Kohli has a balanced record across formats.
- Consistency and Conversion: Smith has a higher Test average, while Kohli shines in ODIs.
- Stylistic Differences: Smith is known for his unorthodox technique in Tests, and Kohli for his aggressive style across formats.
- Final Analysis
- Smith's supremacy in Test cricket is highlighted by his average and centuries.
- Kohli's consistency and record-breaking performances are notable in ODIs and T20Is.
- Both players have significantly impacted their respective teams and the sport.
- The debate over who is better depends on the criteria used, such as consistency, impact, or versatility.
- Conclusion
- The comparison between Smith and Kohli is complex and subjective.
- Both have left a significant mark on cricket, excelling in their unique ways.
- The debate continues, underscoring their status as two of the finest batsmen of their generation.
Who Has a Better Performance: Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli?
In the competitive arena of international cricket, who is better; Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli? This is and endless debate amongst fans and analyst, even both stand as two of the most accomplished and respected batsmen.
Steve Smith, an Australian cricketing maestro, is celebrated for his exceptional Test batting, often drawing comparisons to the legendary Don Bradman.
Virat Kohli, an Indian cricket icon, is known for his record-breaking feats across all formats, particularly in ODIs and T20Is.
Their remarkable careers, filled with extraordinary achievements, raise an intriguing question: Who has better performance?
The Highlight of Steve Smith’s Cricket Career
Steve Smith, born on June 2, 1989, initially made his mark as a right-arm leg spinner but later evolved into a prolific batsman.
His career statistics are impressive: in 102 Test matches, he scored 9,320 runs at an average of 58.61, including 32 centuries.
In ODIs, he played 155 games, scoring 5,356 runs with an average of 43.54 and 12 centuries. In T20Is, he scored 1,060 runs in 64 matches with an average of 25.85.
Smith was a key member of the Australian teams that won the 2015 and 2023 Cricket World Cups, the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, and the 2023 ICC World Test Championship final.
His awards include the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy (ICC Cricketer of the Year) in 2015, ICC Test Player of the Year in 2015 and 2017, and the Allan Border Medal for the best player in Australian Cricket in 2015, 2018, 2021, and 2023.
The Highlight of Virat Kohli’s Cricket Career
Virat Kohli, born on November 5, 1988, is a dominant force in modern cricket. In his 111 Test matches, he scored 8,676 runs at an average of 49.29, including 29 centuries.
His ODI records are even more impressive, with 13,848 runs in 292 matches at an average of 58.67 and 50 centuries. In T20Is, he has scored 4,008 runs in 115 matches, averaging 52.73 with one century.
Kohli is the highest run-scorer in T20I and the IPL, and in 2020, he was named the ICC’s male cricketer of the decade.
His accolades include the ICC ODI Player of the Year in 2012, the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy in 2017 and 2018, and being named the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World from 2016 to 2018.
In the prestigious tournament – IPL, Kohli has played 237 matches, scoring 7,263 runs at an average of 37.25, including 7 centuries and 50 half-centuries.
Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith: Who is Better?
The two legends giving a remarkable performances and impact to the team. But, the quest to find out ‘who is the best’ between Steve Smith vs Virat Kohling amongst fans and analyst still continue. However, here are the key differences of both:
Career Span and Experience
Kohli’s international career began earlier (2008) compared to Smith (2010), giving him a slight edge in terms of experience.
Performance in Different Formats
Smith has a remarkable Test average of 59.78, showcasing his dominance in the longest format of the game. While, Kohli, on the other hand, has a more balanced record across all formats, with exceptional ODI statistics.
Consistency and Conversion
Smith’s Test record is highlighted by a higher average and a similar number of centuries compared to Kohli.
Kohli excels in ODIs with a significantly higher number of centuries and a better average.
Stylistic Differences
Smith is known for his unorthodox yet highly effective batting technique, especially in Tests. While Kohli is renowned for his aggressive and consistent batting across all formats, with a particular prowess in chasing runs.
Final Words on Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli
Comparing Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli reveals two distinct but equally remarkable cricketing careers. Smith’s supremacy in Test cricket is unquestionable, with a high average and numerous centuries.
His role in leading Australia to major tournament victories underlines his impact in crucial matches.
Kohli, on the other hand, has shown unparalleled consistency and record-breaking performances in ODIs and T20Is, along with significant achievements in Test cricket.
His role in reshaping the modern-day batting approach, especially in limited-overs cricket, is noteworthy.
Deciding who is better Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith on a comparison is complex and subjective. Smith’s technique and resilience in Test cricket have earned him a place among the greats of the game.
Kohli’s aggressive style and ability to dominate bowlers in all formats have set new standards in batting. Both have left an indelible mark on cricket, each excelling in their unique ways.
Ultimately, the assessment depends on the criteria used – be it consistency, impact, or versatility across formats.
One thing is clear: the debate on Smith vs Kohli only a numbers comparison by both who have etched their names in the annals of cricket history as two of the finest batsmen of their generation.
