Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, two greats of this era, have ruled cricket in all three formats for over a decade. Although their styles and methodologies towards the game are as different as chalk and cheese, their run-hunger and influence on their respective teams are not questionable. The article presents a meticulous statistical comparison of their success in One Day International (ODI), Twenty20 International (T20I), and Test cricket.
Test Cricket Comparison
In Test cricket, both Smith and Kohli are legends. Smith, who is compared to Sir Donald Bradman because of his unconventional technique and run-scoring ability, has a slight advantage in terms of average. In contrast, Kohli has more centuries to his name.
Category | Steve Smith | Virat Kohli |
Matches | 116 | 123 |
Innings | 206 | 210 |
Runs | 10271 | 9230 |
Highest Score | 239 | 254* |
Average | 56.74 | 46.85 |
Centuries | 36 | 30 |
Half-centuries | 41 | 31 |
Wickets | 19 | 0 |
ODI Cricket Comparison
In ODIs, Kohli's dominance is more pronounced. His incredible consistency, combined with his exceptional record in run chases, sets him apart. While Smith is a valuable ODI player, Kohli's numbers are staggering.
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Category | Steve Smith | Virat Kohli |
Matches | 168 | 299 |
Innings | 152 | 287 |
Runs | 5708 | 14085 |
Highest Score | 164 | 183 |
Average | 42.91 | 58.20 |
Centuries | 12 | 51 |
Half-centuries | 34 | 73 |
Wickets | 28 | 5 |
T20I Cricket Comparison
In T20Is, Kohli has proven to be more consistent, while Smith has struggled to replicate his success from other formats.
Category | Steve Smith | Virat Kohli |
Matches | 67 | 125 |
Innings | 55 | 117 |
Runs | 1094 | 4188 |
Highest Score | 90 | 122* |
Average | 24.86 | 48.69 |
Centuries | 0 | 1 |
Half-centuries | 5 | 38 |
Wickets | 17 | 4 |
Both Steve Smith and Virat Kohli are exceptional cricketers who have left an indelible mark on the game. While Smith's Test average is superior, Kohli's ODI record is unparalleled. In T20Is, Kohli's consistency gives him an edge. Ultimately, comparing players across different eras and formats is subjective, but the statistics provide a clear picture of their achievements and strengths.
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