The debate on labelling the best between Virat Kohli and Steve Smith continuous. Both the players give each other a tough fight in scoring runs. Notably, both the right-hand batsmen have a different style of batting. Former Australian cricketer Ian Chappell agrees of differences in the two swashbuckling cricketers.
Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli
Indian skipper Virat Kohli is breaking many top batting records since his debut in the Indian team. He is leading the No.1 Test team and is also successful in maintaining the No.1 position in World Test Championship. Virat has scored 21,036 runs in International cricket with 69 centuries.
On the other hand, the Australian cricketer Steve Smith is the best in his team. Nobody can compete him in Test cricket. His shot selections and batting style have astonished everyone in the field. Smith is ranked No.1 in the ICC’s Test batting rankings and has the Test average of 64.56, second (minimum 20 Test innings) only to Sir Donald Bradman.
Batting is very much an individual exercise: Ian Chappell
Ian Chappell wrote for Hindustan Times that Smith And Virat both had their own way of playing games. Kohli follows the traditional way of playing the game while Steve Smith is just the opposite. Chappell feels that they both prove that cricketers should follow the technique which helps them, even whether it is conventional or non-conventional.
“Smith and Kohli are adequate proof that batting is very much an individual exercise and whatever works for you is the correct method.”
Chappell added that Virat is the role model for the young generation. He detects that Virat follows the traditional method of playing the game of cricket.
“Kohli is a great role model for young players searching for a way to build their game for international success. He’s also a headache for coaches who theorise on modern methods and disparage traditional approaches as being “old-time cricket,” Chappell wrote in his exclusive column for the Hindustan Times.
“And therein lies the success to Smith’s batting; he’s fashioned a method that works for him and he’s been mentally strong enough to resist all attempts to alter his style. For all his eccentric movements and mannerisms, when Smith actually plays the ball he’s in a good position to execute his choice of shot,” the Aussie great added.