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Is Steve Smith Better than Virat Kohli in Test Matches?

by Vairag
Vairag Published: Last Updated on 3 Mins read
Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli in Test Cricket
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Today, we debate Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli in test cricket. Smith & Kohli are among the top batsmen of current era. While there’s been pundits talking about their batting techniques in the past, they have certainly forced them to rethink by reaching one milestones after another. But when talked about test matches, these two are close. Here, we try to see who wins the debate “Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli in Test Cricket”.

Batting Average

If we see the batting average of the two cricketers, Steve wins here. While Steve has played 73 test matches, he averages 62.84 from the 131 innings that he has played. Virat, on the other hand, has played 86 test matches and averages 53.62 from the 145 innings that he has played. So, on batting averages, Steve wins the debate of Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli in Test Cricket.

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Centuries

If we see the number of test hundreds, Virat wins here. While Virat has scored 27 centuries so far in test cricket, Smith has scored 26. So, ‌Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli in Test Cricket rules Virat as a winner in Centuries. Also, their highest score in Test Cricket see Virat coming as a winner. While Virat has 254 not out as his best, Smith has 239.

Test Runs

Virat is better even when we see the total test runs they have scored. While Virat has scored 7240 runs in test cricket, Smith has scored 7227. But yes, Smith has played less matches. Here, ‌Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli in Test Cricket rules Virat as a winner in overall test runs.

Last Few Tests

While on many account Virat is ahead, but recently Smith has come out almost unstoppable and that has not only added to his batting average or centuries count, but also the rankings where he has got ahead of Virat Kohli to be world number 1. In last 12 months (June 13 2019-June 13 2020) Smith has scored 1028 runs in 14 innings at an average of 73.42. During the same period, Kohli has scored 627 runs in 14 innings at an average of 52.25.

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ICC Test Rankings

On Test Cricket’s batsman rankings, Steve Smith has over-passed Virat and is Current World Number one. Steve Smith has 911 points while Kohli has 886. Here too, in recent days, Steve is ahead in Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli in Test Cricket. However, these rankings update on batting performances and current form, so it would be interesting to see how they both come out in the India vs Australia series which is scheduled some time later this year.

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Verdict

So, while on overall Test Career so far, Kohli looks slightly ahead on stats, the recent form gets Smith as the better player. Stats will keep on changing as they play more games, home and away. We leave it on you to decide your better player among the two.