IND v AUS 2020: Gambhir says Kohli "far, far better" than Smith in white-ball cricket 

The Kohli-Smith rivalry resumes during this three-match ODI series.

Virat Kohli | GettyThere may be greater competition between the two in Test matches but former opener Gautam Gambhir has no doubt that Indian captain Virat Kohli is a "far, far better" batsman than Australia's Steve Smith as far as white-ball cricket is concerned. 

Kohli has been an all-conquering force, scoring over 11,000 runs with 43 hundreds in the 50-over format, well ahead of Smith who is just short of 4,000 runs in this version with eight centuries. 

Read Also: Virat Kohli hints at accommodating both Dhawan and Rahul in the playing XI

"Virat Kohli is far far better than Steve Smith in white-ball cricket. There's no comparison. I would not compare Kohli to Smith in white-ball cricket. I would actually want to see what spot Smith bats on," Gambhir told Star Sports before the start of the three-match ODI series on January 14. 

"Are they going to push him at no 4 or would have him bat at 3 and send Labuschagne at no 4."

Gambhir reckons experienced pace duo of Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah will trouble the Aussie batsmen. "I'm really excited to see how these two guys bowl against some of the top batters like David Warner or Aaron Finch in that kind of form in white-ball cricket on flat wickets," he said. 

"But the best part is that they have got pace. They can actually get wickets with that sheer pace and the quickness in the air as well."

The 38-year-old also believes India made a genuine mistake by not fielding Shami in the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand last year. "Both of them bowling in tandem is going to be a great sight because it's a little unfortunate that Shami didn't play in the World Cup semi-final," he said. "It was probably the worst decision that was made in the entire World Cup with the kind of form he was in."

"Had he played that, with Bumrah he would have had an impact. I know that both of them bowling with the new ball together with the form they are in, it's going to be hard work for the Australians."

"I've always believed that when you're playing on placid wickets and smaller grounds like the Wankhede or Bangalore, your bowlers need to step up," Gambhir added. 

"The kind of form Mohammad Shami is in, it's a big plus for India that he has done really well in white-ball cricket. Jasprit Bumrah is coming back from injury but he's a quality bowler."

But at the same time, Gambhir thinks Indian batsmen, especially the middle-order, would do well to be wary of the likes of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc."Australian bowlers like Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood would not let Indian batters at numbers 5, 6 and 7 get runs in front of an opposition like this," he said.

"Maybe in front of Sri Lanka or Bangladesh they can get runs but in front of such a strong opposition it will not be an easy task so it is all about how the top 4 in the batting line up deliver."

"Last time when Australia had come to India and beaten us, the squad didn't have Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, so it is going to be a difficult task with them playing."

(Inputs from PTI)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 13 Jan, 2020

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