Virat Kohli ( 7240 + 11867) Steve Smith ( 7227 + 4162) these are quantities of Tests and ODIs. Having such numbers in the mid 30s for a player is a remarkable thing. Both these batsman began their career as a batsman and other as off-spinner for Australia. In any case, over the most recent two decades what these two have done in their cricketing career so far have totally transformed them into the legends of the game. In spite of the fact that correlation is frequently superfluous as per the player.
Each era has various rivalries from Hadlee versus Dennis Lillee; Kapil Dev versus Imran Khan; McGrath versus wasim Akram; Dale Steyn versus Brett Lee; Sachin Versus Lara - probably the best rivalries have ever occurred in a long history of cricket. Ages change, rules have been changed, new players have show up. Fans love to analyze players each time.
Over the most recent two decades if there is one Rivalry that makes it to contrast and the rivalries of the past then it would be Virat Kohli Versus Steve Smith. Continuously being the question of vulnerability who is better from others yet over the most recent couple of years these two players have shown up things which look unbelievable. So towards the end of their career who will be the best player, Virat kohli or Steve Smith?
In any case, let us look at the stats of these two players to really realize who is superior to others.
1. Runs In The Overseas Conditions:
For any player this is the ideal test of the ability to perform in overseas conditions. The playing conditions are different; a batsman has to adapt himself into those conditions to define his strengths.
Virat Kohli has scored 3682 runs in 47 tests while playing in overseas conditions at an average of 44.36 which include 12 fifties and 14 hundreds. Virat Kohli has the highest score of 200 in overseas conditions.
While on the other side Steve Smith has 3883 runs in 39 tests playing in overseas conditions at an average of 57.10 which include 13 hundreds and 17 fifties. Steve Smith has the highest score of 215 in the overseas conditions.
Clearly Steve Smith is ahead of Virat Kohli in terms of overseas conditions and runs scoring ability.
2. Runs In The Home Conditions:
Scoring Runs in the home conditions is a quite easy task compared to overseas conditions. The home crowd, conditions, familiarity of home tracks and numerous other advantages batsman has to make his bat talk more badly. Well looking at the Virat Kohli and Steve Smith figures there are differences in the numbers.
Virat Kohli has played 39 tests at the home ground in which Kholi has scored 3558 runs at an average of 68.42 including 10 fifties and 13 hundreds.
While On the other side Steve Smith has played 34 tests at his home ground in which Smith amassed 3344 runs at an average of 71.15 including 12 fifties and 13 hundreds.
Once again Steve Smith is ahead of Virat Kohli in home conditions too.
3. Runs In The Each Innings:
Scoring runs is always going to have an impact on the player career.
Virat Kholi Runs In The First Innings
48 Innings – 2479 Runs – Average - 52.74 – 100/50 – 6/8
Steve Smith Runs In The First Innings
43 Innings – 3411 Runs – Average- 89.76 – 100/50 – 16/7
Virat Kholi Runs In The Second Innings
36 Innings – 2620 Runs – Average – 74.86 – 100/50 – 14/4
Steve Smith Runs In The Second Innings
29 Innings – 2911 Runs – Average – 63.37 – 100/50 – 6/8
Virat Kholi Runs In The Third Innings
38 Innings – 1245 Runs – Average – 35.37 – 100/50 – 3/6
Steve Smith Runs In The Third Innings
38 Innings – 1522 Runs – Average – 49.10 – 100/50 – 4/10
Virat Kholi Runs In The Fourth Innings
23 Innings – 896 Runs – Average – 49.78 – 100/50 – 2/6
Steve Smith Runs In The Fourth Innings
21 Innings – 583 Runs – Average – 30.68 – 100/50 – 0/4
Clearly both are equal in these parameters. Till now its the only parameters where Virat Kohli is being equal to Steve Smith.
4. Runs In the Winning Cause:
Scoring runs and team is still losing those runs are no use. No batsman in the world won't their runs gone in vain. Another aspect which makes the player better over other after match winning-performance.
Out of 27 hundreds 12 have come in a winning cause for Virat Kohli including 3736 runs with the win percentage of 52.87%
While on the other side out of 26 hundreds 18 have came in a winning cause for Steve Smith including 4201 with the win percentage of 60.25%
Once again Steve Smith is ahead of Virat Kohli scoring runs in a winning cause.
5. Runs In The One-Days:
Scoring runs in the one-days is very different from the test cricket with limited overs, batting-friendly conditions and powerplays. Let us take a look at the batting stats of these two batsman.
Virat Kholi has scored 11867 runs in 248 ODIs since his debut in 2008 at an average of 59.34 including 43 hundreds and 58 fifties with the career best score of 183.
Steve Smith has scored 4162 runs in 125 ODIs since his debut in 2010 at an average of 42.47 including 9 hundreds and 25 fifties with the career best score of 164.
Clearly Smith has played lesser games than Virat Kohli in ODIs so comparison in this format is very early when the golden phase of these two have started.
6. Runs Against Each Opponents:
Player is not great unless he doesn't score runs against other cricket playing nations. Virat Kohli has played 34 Innings against Australia including 1604 runs at an average of 48.61. While Steve Smith has played 20 Innings against India Including 1429 runs at an average of 84.06 which once again makes him better over Virat Kohli.
Virat Kohli has upper hand against South Africa in 20 Innings Virat Kohli has scored 1059 runs at an average of 59.72 while Steve Smith has played 17 innings against South Africa and scored 623 runs at an average of 41.53. Virat Kohli clearly wins this battle against Steve Smith.
Against New Zealand both the batsman have scored equal amount of runs while in terms of average Steve Smith is very ahead of Virat Kohli. Virat has played 17 innings against New Zealand scored 773 runs at an average of 51.53. While Steve Smith has played 14 innings scored 757 runs at an average of 58.23.
Against England Steve Smith has upper hand over Virat Kohli. Virat Kohli has played 35 innings against England scored 1570 runs at an average of 49.06 while Steve Smith has played 48 innings against England scored 2800 runs at an average of 65.12.
