Seeing Virat Kohli and Steve Smith’s batting prowess in recent times, former India captain Rahul Dravid has said that the Indian captain and his Australian counterpart are undoubtedly the best in the world currently.

In particular, Dravid lauded the consistency level of Kohli since the 29-year-old happens to be the only batsman on the planet who’s averaging well above 50 across all formats of the game. Rahul believes it is very difficult to boast such a fabulous record at the highest level.

"Kohli is playing very well. He is going through a good phase. Very few people have been through such phases," Dravid told Sports Tak YouTube channel.

"I will say he is one of the top batsmen in the world. We have to give him credit, because he is able to maintain consistency across the three formats. It is very difficult at this level, at this standard," the batting great added:

Talking about Aussie skipper Steve Smith, who is currently placed at the pinnacle of ICC Test batting rankings with 938 rating points, Dravid said: "According to me, apart from Kohli, Steve Smith has been consistent across formats."

It is pertinent to mention here that Kohli went past Dravid's tally of five double tons in Test cricket during the recently concluded three-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Virat finished the series with 610 runs at an incredible average of 152.50, including two double centuries and was deservedly adjudged Man of the Series as India secured the series 1-0.

The Indian captain registered his Test highest score (243) in the third and final Test at his home ground Kotla, which was also his third double hundred this year (2017) and sixth overall. In the process, Kohli also surpassed the West Indian batting legend Brian Lara (5) as the skipper with most Test double hundreds. Remarkably, the Delhi lad became the only batsman in the history of the game to amass more than 2,500 runs on two successive calendar years. With 2,818 runs to his name in 2017, Kohli just finished 50 runs behind Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara's record of most number of international runs in a calendar year.

On the other hand, Smith has scored 888 runs at 59.20 in 2017. The Australian skipper proved his mettle in the tough subcontinental conditions when he hit 499 runs, including three hundreds during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year. In the first Ashes Test as well, Smith played a match-defining knock of 141* which helped the hosts registered a comprehensive 10-wicket victory over England.