It has been lockdown time in most parts of the globe due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. The virus has brought normal lives to a grinding halt and among other things, the sporting world has taken a big hit due to the crisis.
Sportspersons across the globe have been confined to their residences during the lockdown but they have found new ways to keep in touch with their mates.
When it comes to cricket, the big names of the sport are interacting with their teammates and counterparts via live sessions on social media. From candid chats to some serious analyses, cricketers have been opening up during their interactions.
One of the most-discussed subjects during the lockdown has been the comparison between Virat Kohli and Steve Smith. Most former cricketers have been at the receiving end of what is perceived to be a tricky question.
Some have found easier ways out by picking one based on current form, their performances across all 3 formats among other things while the others have refrained from making comparisons.
In a way, comparing Virat Kohli and Steve Smith across all 3 formats is the easiest way out. The India skipper is miles ahead as he averages 50 across all 3 formats while Smith falls behind when it comes to the shorter format of the game.
However, in Test cricket, the sport’s traditional and cherished format, the race is a tight one.
Indiatoday.in looks at how Virat Kohli and Steve Smith stack up against each other when considered some of the most important parameters in Test cricket.
Their overall numbers are simply staggering.
|
Player |
Matches |
Runs |
Average |
100s |
50s |
|
Virat Kohli |
86 |
7240 |
53.62 |
27 |
22 |
|
Steve Smith |
73 |
7227 |
62.84 |
26 |
29 |
There is not much to separate the two when it comes to their overall numbers. Let’s take a deeper look at it.
How Virat Kohli and Steve Smith have performed across the globe
In Asia
Virat Kohli doesn’t need a second invitation to score in the sub-continent. The India captain is yet to play a Test in Pakistan but his numbers in the rest of the Asian continent are impressive.
On the other hand, Steve Smith is among the Australian elite when it comes to their performances in Asia. His numbers are only behind Allan Border and Matthew Hayden.
|
Player |
Matches in Asia |
Runs |
Average |
100s |
|
Virat Kohli |
46 |
3966 |
63.96 |
15 |
|
Steve Smith |
13 |
1200 |
48 |
4 |
In England
When it comes to Europe — playing in England — Steve Smith leaves Viat Kohli behind by a long way. Kohli had a horror tour of England in 2014 wherein he managed just 134 runs in 5 Tests. He made a strong comeback in the 2018-19 tour but Smith has been a consistent performer in the Old Blighty.
|
Player |
Matches in Europe |
Runs |
Average |
100s |
|
Virat Kohli |
10 |
727 |
36.35 |
2 |
|
Steve Smith |
16 |
1727 |
59.55 |
6 |
In West Indies
In the West Indies, Steve Smith is well ahead of Virat Kohli once again. Although Smith has played only 2 matches in the Caribbean, his numbers are impressive.
|
Player |
Matches in West Indies |
Runs |
Average |
100s |
|
Virat Kohli |
9 |
463 |
35.61 |
1 |
|
Steve Smith |
2 |
283 |
141.50 |
1 |
in South Africa
On the other hand, Virat Kohli seems to have played better than Steve smith on the pace-rich wickets of South Africa.
|
Player |
Matches in Africa |
Runs |
Average |
100s |
|
Virat Kohli |
5 |
558 |
55.80 |
2 |
|
Steve Smith |
6 |
441 |
41.10 |
1 |
In Australia and New Zealand
|
Player |
Matches in Oceania region |
Runs |
Average |
100s |
|
Virat Kohli |
16 |
1526 |
50.86 |
7 |
|
Steve Smith |
36 |
3606 |
73.59 |
14 |
In fact, both of them have loved playing in each other’s backyard. It’s a well-known fact that Virat Kohli loves the battle Down Under. Steve Smith thrives under pressure in India. Remember the 2017 series where Smith, with 3 hundreds, led Australia’s valiant fight over 4 Tests?
|
Player in Country |
Matches |
Runs |
Average |
Hundreds |
|
Virat Kohli in Australia |
12 |
1274 |
55.39 |
6 |
|
Steve Smith in India |
6 |
660 |
60 |
3 |
Overseas records: Smith is the King
How does their overall home and away numbers look? It’s no surprise that both have scored runs across the world but Smith edges past Kohli when it comes to numbers overseas.
Smith’s dominant performances in England and his consistency in the sub-continent should have worked in his favour.
|
Player |
Matches at home |
Runs |
Average |
Hundreds |
|
Virat Kohli |
39 |
3558 |
68.42 |
13 |
|
Steve Smith |
34 |
3344 |
71.14 |
13 |
|
Player |
Matches overseas |
Runs |
Average |
Hundreds |
|
Virat Kohli |
47 |
3682 |
44.36 |
14 |
|
Steve Smith |
39 |
3883 |
57.10 |
13 |
How did captaincy affect their batting in Tests?
It did not.
|
Player |
Matches as captain |
Runs |
Average |
100s |
|
Virat Kohli |
55 |
5142 |
61.21 |
20 |
|
Steve Smith |
34 |
3659 |
70.36 |
15 |
When their teams lost the toss…
At a time when winning the toss has become a crucial factor in Tests, both Virat Kohli and Steve Smith have done exceptionally well when it comes to winning contributions in matches where they were part of the sides that lost the toss.
|
Player |
Matches won after losing toss |
Runs |
Average |
Hundreds |
|
Virat Kohli |
12 |
1094 |
64.35 |
4 |
|
Steve Smith |
10 |
1279 |
106.58 |
5 |
How have they contributed to winning matches at home and overseas?
Both Virat Kohli and Steve Smith have dominated batting at home. However, Smith has had a bigger impact than Kohli when it comes to winning contributions overseas.
While Kohli (1089) is second only to Ajinkya Rahane (1170) in the runs scored in India’s overseas wins involving Kohli.
Smith is well ahead of the chasing pack when it comes to runs scored in Australia’s overseas wins involving him. He averages close to 100 in Australia’s overseas wins.
Smith has scored 2077 runs in away (away and neutral venues) in 14 overseas wins. This tally is 1059 runs more than 2nd-placed David Warner’s contribution to Australia’s overseas wins in matches involving Smith.
|
Player |
Matches won at home |
Runs |
Average |
Hundreds |
|
Virat Kohli |
29 |
2783 |
73.23 |
10 |
|
Steve Smith |
25 |
2378 |
69.94 |
9 |
|
Player |
Matches won overseas |
Runs |
Average |
Hundreds |
|
Virat Kohli |
15 |
1089 |
41.88 |
3 |
|
Steve Smith |
14 |
2077 |
98.90 |
9 |
Kohli > Smith: Conversation rates
How often do they get to the 3-figure mark and beyond? Well, Kohli has 27 Test hundreds, 1 more than Smith.
But the rate at which Kohli is getting hundreds is certainly better than Smith.
Overall
|
Player |
Hundreds |
Fifties |
Conversion rate |
|
Virat Kohli |
27 |
22 |
60 |
|
Steve Smith |
26 |
29 |
47.27 |
At home
|
Player |
Hundreds |
Fifties |
Conversion Rate |
|
Virat Kohli |
13 |
10 |
56.52 |
|
Steve Smith |
13 |
12 |
52 |
Overseas
|
Player |
Hundreds |
Fifties |
Conversion Rate |
|
Virat Kohli |
14 |
12 |
53.84 |
|
Steve Smith |
13 |
17 |
43.33 |
Well, if you are still looking for a unanimous verdict, there isn’t one.
