Michael Vaughn clears his stance on ‘best batsman debate’ between Virat Kohli and Steve Smith

Kohli and Smith are currently amassing runs with utmost ease.

Virat Kohli and Steve Smith are in superb form lately

Seeing the recent batting prowess of Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, former England skipper Michael Vaughn has stated that the Indian captain and his Australian counterpart are undoubtedly the best in the world currently. However, Vaughn cleared the air by elaborating that Kohli is the best player across three formats while Steve Smith tops the list in the longest format of the game.

Statistics also seem to back Vaughn’s remarks since Virat happens to be the only batsman on the planet who’s averaging well above 50 across all formats of the game whereas Smith has taken his game to a different level in Tests. The Aussie skipper is currently averaging an extraordinary 62.89 in the 5-day game.

“IMO ... @imVkohli is the best player across the 3 formats ... But @stevesmith49 is the best in Tests ... #OnOn #Ashes ... Although I would really like both in the same team ....” Vaughan wrote on his official Twitter page.

During the recently concluded three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, Virat amassed 610 runs at an incredible average of 152.50, including two double centuries. 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 piled up 1117 Test runs in 2017 at an incredible average of 74.46. The Australian captain has proved his mettle in the tough subcontinental conditions as well, scoring 499 runs in Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year.

In the first Ashes Test, Smith played a match-defining knock of 141* which helped Australia registered a comprehensive 10-wicket victory over England. And now in the ongoing third Ashes Test at Perth, the 28-year-old is doing the same. Smith is currently playing on 229* as Australia have taken a lead of 146 runs in their first innings after the end of third day’s play.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 16 Dec, 2017

    Share Via