Ahead of WTC Final Clash, Kohli Hails Smith as Test Cricket’s Finest

As the World Test Championship (WTC) Final between India and Australia kicks off at The Oval, cricket fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the showdown between two modern-day batting maestros: Virat Kohli and Steve Smith. The clash between these two star batters promises to be a battle of skill, temperament, and sheer determination. 

WTC Final: Kohli vs Smith Battle 

Virat Kohli, who rediscovered his form across all formats in late 2022, enters the WTC Final with an impressive Test record against Australia. He has amassed a total of 1,979 runs at an average of 48.26 and a strike rate of 52.25. Kohli’s aggression, impeccable technique, and ability to dominate the opposition make him a formidable force at the crease.  

On the other side, Australia’s batting powerhouse Steve Smith poses a significant threat to the Indian team. Smith has a remarkable Test record against India, accumulating 1,887 runs at an astounding average of 65.06 and a strike rate of 52.79. His unorthodox technique, immense concentration, and ability to maneuver the ball to all parts of the ground have often left bowlers bewildered. 

Kohli lauds Smith

In a recent interview with Star Sports, Kohli hailed Smith as the best test player of this generation, acknowledging his incredible adaptability and consistency. Kohli emphasized Smith’s exceptional average of around 60 after playing 85-90 Tests, a feat that he finds astonishing. 

“I think, Steve Smith, according to me, is the best test player of this generation. Time and again, he has showcased his amazing adaptability. Of all the test players of this generation, only Steve Smith has an average of about 60 even after 85-90 tests, which is unbelievable. With the level of consistency and impact Steve Smith has while scoring runs, I have not seen any other batter score runs with such an impact in the last 10 years or so. I will credit that to his skill and temperament.”, Kohli said. 

Recognizing Smith’s impact on the game, Kohli further stressed the importance of dismissing him early to prevent him from influencing the match. “For us, he is definitely the main player for us in his team. Along with him, Marnis Labuschagne is also playing excellent cricket. I think both of these players are very important for the Australian team as they control the middle order of the team. However, Steve Smith has constantly scored against us in the past and he has a good track record in England as well. You definitely want to get such players out as soon as possible because if they stay longer, they will have a match-winning impact on the game.”, he added. 

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