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Virat Kohli versus Steve Smith - Tests

And this guy was primarily a bowler when he debuted.

Now he could very well end up becoming one of the greatest test batsmen of all-time.INSANE!
 
Gubol123 said:
he is pretty average in T20. ODIs we will have to wait and see how he shapes up in the coming years. He is certainly not a big match winner yet in LOIs. He is a monster in Tests.
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He hasn't showed his best in T20s yet because he has only played a 8-10 t20s batting at 3. Before that, he used to bat down at 7 or 8.
Similarly in ODI's, he was only promoted to no3 in WC 2015, and played a brilliant knock in the semi and final. Smith as I say, has just started, he has his flaws, but he will get a lot better.
 
Waiting for the first triple centurian from the fab 4 tomorrow. Smith will probably get it in this Test.
 
To all those who starts comparing smith in odis with virat should not forget how smith played and won aus world cup. If he manages to win 2019 world cup he is my odi goat miles ahead of virat (idc about useless 100s against lanka).

Smith in test is already ahead of virat. In t20 yeah virat is ahead but who cares for t20
 
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Sam99 said:
To all those who starts comparing smith in odis with virat should not forget how smith played and won aus world cup. If he manages to win 2019 world cup he is my odi goat miles ahead of virat (idc about useless 100s against lanka).

Smith in test is already ahead of virat. In t20 yeah virat is ahead but who cares for t20
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good point a man who performed in QF.SF and Final..what else u want,,...he may not be scoring centuries in bilaterals but he has done wht he needed to be.
 
Sam99 said:
To all those who starts comparing smith in odis with virat should not forget how smith played and won aus world cup. If he manages to win 2019 world cup he is my odi goat miles ahead of virat (idc about useless 100s against lanka).

Smith in test is already ahead of virat. In t20 yeah virat is ahead but who cares for t20
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By your logic yuvraj>ganguly, saeed anwar, devilliers,sanga.
This logic of just playing well in world cups is too flawed.
 
I dont think any bowling attack in World cricket has any idea how to get Steven Smith out in test cricket. All they can hope is for Smith to lose concentration and make a mistake.

He is like a rock at the crease.
 
DRsohail said:
good point a man who performed in QF.SF and Final..what else u want,,...he may not be scoring centuries in bilaterals but he has done wht he needed to be.
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It's not that he is too bad in odis. He has performed well but not the way he did in test cricket. But still sure he will have good years to come and on his day he can be match winner in odis (in overseas specially)
 
In test matches smith trumps kohli easily. Only if kohli is able to pull of sensational performances in 2018 he will come close to smith. He needs to hit his purple patch in 2018.
 
R0H1T said:
And yet he batted first in 3 tests & under less pressure, the last two tests had much better batting tracks. When under pressure, not the second innings at Pune as Aus had a huge lead, he failed 3~4 times.

Now compare that to the runs Kohli scored against England, albeit in India, under pressure virtually all the time. For anyone who says that Smith is a level above Kohli, on current form, needs to look at the kind of (big) innings Kohl;i has played under pressure in the last year or so.Doesn't change my opinion of Kohli, or that of Smith.
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So Smith's innings at Brisbane in the 1st Test wasn't a pressure innings? Pressure innings can only be played in the 3rd and 4th innings?
 
Kohli has tough tours to SA and Eng coming up if he performs there like he is doing in India he will be the GOAT across formats..
 
Good players will cash in on their rich vein of form. Smith is thoroughly capitalizing on it. Kohli has so far done that at home.
 
Oligochaetes said:
I dont think any bowling attack in World cricket has any idea how to get Steven Smith out in test cricket. All they can hope is for Smith to lose concentration and make a mistake.

He is like a rock at the crease.
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There was a POTW post by [MENTION=146346]Mr.Q[/MENTION] where he analyzed his technique, especially the way he comes in front of stumps. So I'd say spinners can trap him in front in SC...
 
A double hundred in the Ashes. An incredible average over 4 years. No one comes close currently yet lets compare him to Kohli. Some people are on crack!

Since Jan 2014

Player Mat Runs Ave 100
S Smith 43 4816 75.25 20
V Kohli 41 3761 58.76 15
 
logicsupreme said:
A double hundred in the Ashes. An incredible average over 4 years. No one comes close currently yet lets compare him to Kohli. Some people are on crack!

Since Jan 2014

Player Mat Runs Ave 100
S Smith 43 4816 75.25 20
V Kohli 41 3761 58.76 15
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Ponting peak phase between 2001 and 2008

72 tests
7269 runs
Avg 67.93
28 100s

Smith is averaging 75.25@43 tests between 2014 and 2017 now with 20 hundreds.
 
logicsupreme said:
A double hundred in the Ashes. An incredible average over 4 years. No one comes close currently yet lets compare him to Kohli. Some people are on crack!

Since Jan 2014

Player Mat Runs Ave 100
S Smith 43 4816 75.25 20
V Kohli 41 3761 58.76 15
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58 vs 75. Not too hard to decide. I assume 58 is increased heavily by Lanka bashing at home.
 
sensible-indian-fan said:
Smith does it in a variety of conditions.
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Yes and That's why he is rated below Smith,kohli,root,williamson by many and even rahane by some.

However he has played many valuable knocks in asia like 145* in SL series decider,2 series deciding knocks recently against Australia 2017.His 130+ in mumbai against England 2012 was also brilliant even though india lost that test.I also rate his matchwinning 82* on 4th day of rank turner in delhi against Australia 2013 higher than any knock Kohli has played in his test career.(OK apart from adelaide and Johannesburg century).

I still believe pujara is most underappreciated batsmen in the world.If kohli had played those 2 knocks(92 & 202) against Australia 2017 then many fans would've rated as his best series performance.He has consistently played several match winning/saving knocks outside his comfort zone.Regardless many people would downgrade his performance by saying he has played those knocks when his team was in dominant position(because of india's strong record in Asia).Main reason for our strong record in asia has been pujara.

I've always rated Pujara higher because my criteria of judging players is different.But if he wants to be rated amongst the very best batsmen(top 3 or 4 by fans around the world)then he needs to improve his stats outside Subcontinent which is mediocre at the moment.
 
Steve Smith: He scores everywhere, doesn't matter if pitch is flat or not, this guy will score 100 for fun.

Virat Kohli: He will score heavily on flat pitches against weak teams, and he will go missing in tough series like against Australia.

Conclusion: Steve Smith is double of batsman Virat is at the moment. I would rather have one Steve Smith in team than having 2 Virat Kohlis. This is the how much difference there is in the class.
 
Savage said:
Yes and That's why he is rated below Smith,kohli,root,williamson by many and even rahane by some.

However he has played many valuable knocks in asia like 145* in SL series decider,2 series deciding knocks recently against Australia 2017.His 130+ in mumbai against England 2012 was also brilliant even though india lost that test.I also rate his matchwinning 82* on 4th day of rank turner in delhi against Australia 2013 higher than any knock Kohli has played in his test career.(OK apart from adelaide and Johannesburg century).

I still believe pujara is most underappreciated batsmen in the world.If kohli had played those 2 knocks(92 & 202) against Australia 2017 then many fans would've rated as his best series performance.He has consistently played several match winning/saving knocks outside his comfort zone.Regardless many people would downgrade his performance by saying he has played those knocks when his team was in dominant position(because of india's strong record in Asia).Main reason for our strong record in asia has been pujara.

I've always rated Pujara higher because my criteria of judging players is different.But if he wants to be rated amongst the very best batsmen(top 3 or 4 by fans around the world)then he needs to improve his stats outside Subcontinent which is mediocre at the moment.
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I am a huge Pujara fan-boy myself.

Back in 2013, I believed that one day he would go on to become the best test batsman in the world (because he looked so solid at the crease). Sadly that didn't happen. Still has a chance to redeem himself overseas.

As for Pujara vs Kohli (or any current batsman) in Asia, it's a no brainer.

Pujara anyday. It's not without reason I call Pujara to be a strong contender to be the greatest batsman in Asia ahead of several ATGs.

He has scored in all pitches in Asia against all kinds of bowlers in all situations. One of my favorite knocks of his was the 83* he scored in Delhi 2013 chasing 150 and he did it at a SR of 85. Without him, we may have lost the match. It was a great knock that just flew under the radar. ATG knock.

He has way too many memorable knocks in Asia but sadly isn't hyped up by the media like other guys.
 
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Test batting average:

Smith 62
Kohli 53
Root 52
Williamson 50

Think we can say whether it if fab four or fab one.

Personally, all formats combined its fab two.
 
Smudger said:
48 not out when australia got out for 85 . Fantastic century at centurion
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So no criteria of scoring in England when it swings as is the criteria for others ?

Smith is the better of them just by sheer volume of runs.
 
Today was actually one of Kohli's lucky days. He was outrageously adventurous on a pitch and conditions like that. I'm actually surprised that he even reached 28.
 
Steve Smith on Next ashes

"Everyone is vulnerable to a moving ball." - Steve Smith
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"It's about trying to find a solid defence and a game plan that works in those conditions. Over the next couple of years, guys will continue to develop and get that game plan in place."
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Virat doesnt have tge temprament like that of smith
Smith plays according to the situation. If smith was there in place of kohli he would have took his time and got through the tough period. The pitch got better for batting later on . Had kohli played sensibly in that tough phase . The result would have been different . He played extravagantly as if they were chasing 208 in 40 overs.
 
King Kohli.

Smith just bashed a minnow English attack and looked like Bradman.
 
babajee said:
No not a minnow basher, but feasting on that English attack wasn’t that big of an achievement.
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He has feasted on everyone across all conditions till now. Did well in SA last time. You should atleast wait for the series end. He still averages very high vs SA in SA.
 
He looked good as long as he was there. In between you are bound to have few bad outings. That applies to all top batsmen. But without his contribution Australia definitely struggles.
 
jnaveen1980 said:
He looked good as long as he was there. In between you are bound to have few bad outings. That applies to all top batsmen. But without his contribution Australia definitely struggles.
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I would argue that Smith is more important to Australian batting than Kohli to Indian batting
 
Sidilicious said:
so a failure in 1 test and he is a minnow basher?
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guy has been living under a rock

he is one batsman who has BASHED everyone everywhere atleast once (only country he 'failed' is Bangladesh)
 
babajee said:
He didn’t bash us in UAE :babar
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yea true. but he still averaged 40+ and had a good 92. Looked Aus best batsmen by far and in those days he hadnt yet fully turned into the beast he is now
 
Tests Runs Avge Year
3 213 42 - 2018
11 1305 76 - 2017
11 1079 71 - 2016
13 1474 73 - 2015
9 1146 81 - 2014

4 successive terrific years.

He has lot of tests in this year to make up
 
Smith is certainly better as of now. But kohli is closing the gap at a rapid pace. He has already smashed south Africans in their own backyard where many legendary Asian batters struggled to perform in the past.

I strongly believe that kohli will eventually match smith in test, but smith will never be able to go anywhere near to where kohli is in limited overs cricket.
 
Another Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith thread

Comparison makes sense at this point now..

Who is a better test player in your opinion?
 
Chrish said:
Comparison makes sense at this point now..

Who is a better test player in your opinion?
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I don't think there is much difference between two players right now in the test format. Case can be made for both.

If Kohli does 1 or 2 additional away tours with big runs, I will rate Kohli ahead. Being the leading run scorer from both sides in away series is very hard and he seems to be on roll now.
 
Kohli has so far only outperformed Smith in SA conditions (that too marginally). In all other conditions, Smith holds whip hand yet.
Has also been a bigger home bully and for longer than Kohli.
 
Buffet said:
I don't think there is much difference between two players right now in the test format. Case can be made for both.

If Kohli does 1 or 2 additional away tours with big runs, I will rate Kohli ahead. Being the leading run scorer from both sides in away series is very hard and he seems to be on roll now.
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Kohli in SENA vs Smith in SC

Kohli
Inns - 46
Runs - 2338
Avg - 51.95
100s - 10

Smith
Inns - 26
Runs - 1200
Avg - 48.00
100s - 4

Both have similar average, Kohli slightly ahead in average. I do see Kohli having a more successful overseas career overall due to playing more matches in SENA than Smith will have in SC.
 
Don't think Smith encountered the kind of pitches Kohli in first SA and then Eng. He made hay twice in Eng when it was flat deck, with scores like 215 & 143. Apart from that, he had scores like 33, 33, 58, 7, 8, 6, 5 in the '15 Ashes.
 
That said, there isn't much to choose between them. However, if Kohli has another stupendous Aus tour after this series, he'd have left Smith behind for sure.
 
MP2011 said:
Don't think Smith encountered the kind of pitches Kohli in first SA and then Eng. He made hay twice in Eng when it was flat deck, with scores like 215 & 143. Apart from that, he had scores like 33, 33, 58, 7, 8, 6, 5 in the '15 Ashes.
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India 2017
 
Only Pune was diabolical. Rest were good batting tracks, Ranchi was a batting beauty. Dharmshala and Chinnaswamy had even bounce. An Aus team couldn't have asked for more especially when they had already conquered Pune.
 
Poone was diabolical where Smith scored hundred.. 150 that Kohli scored during SA tour was played on the subcontinental track :dw
 
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Add to this, the kind of burden Kohli has over his shoulders as compared to Smith. However the latter has brought another type of far bigger burden on his shoulders.
 
Yeah Smith was surrounded by star batsmen and had no burden whatsoever.. WAIT!!!
 
Aus had better bats especially for overseas conditions as compared to India. See how well some other Aus bats performed in their series in India.

This Eng series and India's last series in SA have proved beyond doubt that its Kohli or nothing for India.

If Kohli totally fails which he did in 1st test of SA series and 2nd test of this series, India were duly thrashed.
 
LOL Australia had better overseas batsmen !!!!
 
You can lol to your heart's content. However just compare records of Indian batsmen other than Kohli in SA and Eng series with that of Aus batsmen in India and Eng series, you'll see.
 
Smith is a wonderful Test player, but his overall legacy and stature is minuscule compared to Kohli, who is the top cricketer of this generation and has defined an era. He is a name that will stand out in history and transcend eras and generations.

On the other hand, 20-30 years from now, Smith will only be remembered by Test cricket nerds and Australian fans.

There is no purpose in comparing these two players - it is a comparison between an excellent batsman (Smith) and a giant of the game (Kohli).
 
Also, his ‘travails’ in SA earlier this year will always be like a question mark over his name and his legacy.
 
One decent tour and cheerleaders are out and about. Smith was going strong on almost every tour and in any conditions. Kohli has just started to perform at acceptance level.
 
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