A leg-spinner turned number one Test batsman versus a chubby face turned number one ODI batsman.
Steven Peter Devereux Smith and Virat King Captain Kohli have already made a stunning imprint on the game of cricket. Comparisons are a bad habit of cricket writers, but it sure makes for a satisfying read.
The comparison begins in a traditional fashion, in what is traditionally the symbol of this wonderful game: Tests.
Now you must be thinking, “Oh! Come on, we know the winner here has to be Smith! Average of nearly 60 with 20 hundreds for Smith, and Kohli struggling at an average of 50 with 17 hundreds”.
Just hold your thoughts. Being the Kohli supporter, I, like every statistician, will ensure I give my best to find stats to prove you wrong.
I’d like to think that Kohli has been formidable ever since he has taken over the captaincy, but wait – Smith averages a mammoth 69 as captain, and Kohli is once again struggling at 60. Guess who is savouring the power.
Now I’m thinking, “Maybe Smith has played in conditions that have allowed him to score big runs”. I mean, admit it – Australian pitches are batting beauties and Indian pitches are venomous serpents that on the fourth day are no better than my backyard pitch!
Now here comes an interesting stat. Since 2014, when both these players made their debut, the average runs scored per wicket in Australia is 37.6 compared to the mere 31.1 in the India. This means that in the 60-odd matches that these two have played, Kohli could have had another 390 runs for himself.
I have failed once again to prove Kohli’s superiority. What next?
Well, I guess it is time to admit that Smith is undoubtedly a better Test batsman than Kohli, who has yet to prove himself in English conditions, where Smith scored his first Test hundred at the Oval.
I started this article thinking I’d compare the ODIs and T20s too, but let’s leave the best for last.
seb
Guest
I LOVE SMITH HE IS SO GOOD BUT KANE WILLIAMSON IS THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD> BETTER THAN EVERYONE
Fun Time poms
Guest
Yet kohli doesn't cheat how Smith does. Kohli might have not scored in 2 series you pointed out, but he plays passionately, he is role model for his country, he never cheats. He certainly dominated the recent series against SA in SA where Smith figured out.
yup
Guest
hey jake. Kohli almost conquered South Africa with his batting.He made 150 and in that innings he never looked like getting out , although he ran out of partners and finally was the last man to get out. In Odi he hit 3 hundreds and a 75. Now Smith is playing like a child.When he couldn't buy a run and involved in a ball tempering.
jugglebox
Guest
Stats comparison Test - SS averages 60.40 whereas VK averages 53.75 ODI - VK averages 55.27 whereas SS averages 43.78 IT20 - VK averages 52.89 whereas SS averages 20.89 Source: http://www.cricketwa.com/comparison/14/virat-kohli/46/steven-peter-devereux-smith.aspx So overall, VK is a better batsman averages above 50 in all formats of the game. However, SS is a better batsman in test cricket. Having said that it would be very interesting to see them battle for next couple of years. Aussies have sledged the whole world over the past 2 decades but now that someone is giving it back they don't like a bit. Having said that Kohli does need to stop some of his childish acts.
Jake
Guest
"Kohli, who has yet to prove himself in English conditions" Vrat has also yet to prove himself in his home conditions. What was his average against Australia? 13?
Jake
Guest
"If there was one team that acted in a ‘ungentlemanly’ way, it was Australia" And there it is.................Bingo!!!!
Jake
Guest
No, he failed because he is a flat track bully and can't play good bowling. His rudeness and petulance was because he was being embarrassed by the Aussies on his home grounds.
Jake
Guest
The V-rat is an over rated, egotistical batting bunny. He is useless against the Aussies so it's no wonder his massive, yet highly fragile ego can't cope playing them. Even on his home grounds he couldn't score above 20. When his multiple failings became embarrassing, he simply pretended he was injured. His tough guy act would be funny if it wasn't so pathetically sad. He's happy to give lip and act the tough guy but when pulled up on he resorts to the standard line of blaming others (ie Australians) for his behaviour which is quickly followed by the inevitable playing of the race card. He shouldn't be in any conversation that involve Root, Amla, Williamson or Smith. He is so far below them he is residing in the basement below rock bottom. Average player, less than average human being.
JGK
Roar Guru
Red ball - Smith White ball - Virat
MANISH K RAO
Guest
Smith is even't in the picture in ODI's. Amla; ABD and DeKock are competitors to Virat.
Jeffrey
Guest
He's been very generous with his comments to the kiwi players during the current series and both teams have played the game in a good spirit. Perhaps it's just the Aussie team he has an issue with.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
I never said Kohli was unprofessional. In fact, i said i don't believe he is. Even very good players will struggle from time to time and Kohli experienced that in the series against Australia and when India toured England. I admire his aggression and his passion for the game and his team. I strongly believe that Kohli would have prepared himself as well as humanly possible for that series. It just didn't work for him. He has already bounced back with a test hundred in Sri Lanka and I am not surprised. Good players aren't out of touch for long.
James
Guest
Kohli has said inflammatory things about Australia but Smith has said things to Australian selectors like 'pick my friend not the other guy'.
Cric Whizz
Roar Rookie
Alright John let's say 'fatigue and other reasons'. As far as unprofessional is concerned, I feel he tried to push himself to the limits for his country, in the process of which he failed, contrary to what multiple people are saying that his rude behaviour led to his failures.
Cric Whizz
Roar Rookie
It is burning passion that pushes people to their limits. Sometimes, it works, sometimes it fails. This was just one of those instances where he could not pull it off.
Savage
Roar Rookie
Nudge What's wrong with being fan of kohli.He already said smith is better than kohli in test.You may disagree with his point about fatigue as i do.I dont care whether fatigue (or luck etc) was reason for kohli's failure because its irrelevant and should not be used as an excuse.At the end of the day Smith was best batsman of that series and kohli was worst.
Nudge
Guest
Spot on Mitcher. The whizz is clearly a fan boy of Virat Kohli. I’m tipping the Whizz has posters all through his house of Virat. It’s a no contest who’s the better bat in red ball cricket and a no contest who is a better bat in white ball cricket. It just happens that most regard red ball cricket the most important. The recent test series between the pair was regarded as a mouth watering side show battle between Virat and Smith. One batted like Bradman the other like Danny Morrison
Mon
Guest
'If there was one team that acted in a 'ungentlemenly' way, it was Australia.' The way I see it, if you are accepting the way Kohli and his team act now then you must condone the way you see the Aussies play. It's your knowledge of cricket history that is limited.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Sorry. That's a very weak argument and portrays Kohli as a most unprofessional player. I don't believe he is. He would have been primed for a big series with the bat against the Australians, but had an absolute shocker. Even worse than his test series in England with the bat, yet he still had a large bearing on the series. I thought this was most impressive and highlighted his combative and competitive nature. That alone shows me that he is the type of person who is energised by the heat of battle, so to suggest "fatigue and nothing else" is... what's the word... oh yeah... rubbish.
Mon
Guest
A captain who wouldn't rest himself BEFORE one of 'the most important home series of the season' if fatigue was a genuine concern is either selfish or stupid. You pick. Does playing 'under fatigue' make him a hero? To the detriment of his team! 'Hero' is not one of the four letter names I'd ever give him. Please now tell me that without Kholi India would fail.