Virat Kohli, the batting maestro of the Indian cricket team, has expressed his admiration for Steve Smith, considering him to be the finest Test batter of the current generation. Smith’s impressive performance against India in the ICC World Test Championship Final at The Oval further solidified his reputation as he notched up his 31st Test century, with nine of them coming against India specifically. Only Sachin Tendulkar, the great Indian batsman, has scored more centuries in matches between the two rivals, with a total of 11.
While the ongoing debate on the best batter in the world continues, Kohli firmly believes that Smith stands head and shoulders above the rest in the Test format. Speaking to the ICC, Kohli praised Smith’s adaptability and his exceptional ability to comprehend and adjust to different match situations. Smith’s remarkable record speaks volumes about his prowess, averaging nearly 60 runs over a span of 85 to 90 Test matches.
According to Kohli, Smith’s status as the premier Test player of their generation is beyond question. Kohli acknowledged that India’s game plan leading up to the World Test Championship Final revolved around containing Smith, but executing those plans on the field proved to be a challenging task. Every team that faces Australia prioritizes strategizing against Smith due to the extraordinary impact he can have on a match once he finds his rhythm.