“We share messages every now and again” – Steve Smith on his friendship with Virat Kohli ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Steve Smith opened up on his friendship with Virat Kohli ahead of India's tour of Australia in the upcoming 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year. Smith said the two get on well off the field, including sharing messages.
Smith and Kohli will be key for their respective teams in the five-match Test series. The two ace batters are part of the Fab 4 list, which includes England’s Joe Root and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson.
Smith told Star Sports:
“We get on quite well, share messages every now and again. Look he’s a great guy and obviously a wonderful player. So, it’s gonna be nice to come up against him again this summer.”
Virat Kohli enjoys a great record in Australia. The Delhi batter has amassed 1,352 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 54.08, including six centuries. Meanwhile, Steve Smith enjoys a brilliant track record against India in Tests. He averages 65.87 against India, scoring 2,042 runs in 19 Tests, comprising nine tons.
Overall, Smith has 9,685 runs in 109 Tests, including 32 centuries. On the other hand, Kohli has 8,848 runs in 113 Tests, comprising 29 tons.
Smith has been playing the role of an opener in Tests ever since David Warner retired from the format. The Sydney-born player, however, has managed 171 runs in eight innings at a below-par average of 28.5, including a solitary fifty. It will be interesting to see whether he returns to the No. 4 spot against India.
“I believe Virat Kohli is Australian in thoughts and action” – Steve Smith
Steve Smith believes Virat Kohli thinks and plays like an Australian player, saying in the same interaction:
“I believe Virat Kohli is Australian in thoughts and action. The way he gets into it at all the way, gets into the challenge and tries to get on top of the opposition. He’s probably most Australian of the Indian players I’d say.”
“There’s no real, I need to beat him or anything like that. It’s just about going out and playing and trying to score as many runs as I can and helping Australia have success. That’s what it’s all about,” he added.
Notably, Kohli was picked as captain by Cricket Australia for it's 2023 ODI World Cup team of the tournament.