There have been a lot of divided opinions regarding who is the better batsman of the modern-day cricket between Virat Kohli and Steve Smith. Both these batsmen have impressed all the cricketing pundits and fans with their consistent performances and impeccable consistency over the years. Marnus Labuschagne, who is a joint third in the ICC rankings with Ben Stokes, has picked Steve Smith over Virat Kohli in the longest format.
During a recent chat with India Today, Labuschagne said, “I think Steve (Smith) in Test cricket has just shown in any condition, he can find a way. I think that’s what you know really makes him the best, number one Test player in the world.”
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He further added, “He has found a way in India, he has found a way to score in England, he is obviously very consistent in Australia, so it seems that it doesn’t matter where are you playing and in what conditions, he is finding away. Now, Virat has probably done a similar thing. I will probably go with Steve in Test cricket.’”
Smith served a ban for a year following his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in 2018. In his comeback match, he scored twin tons in the first Ashes Test and three innings into his return he was back as number one Test batsman in the ICC charts. The man he replaced at the top was Kohli. However, when it comes to limited-overs cricket, Labuschagne continues to learn the tricks of the trade watching the Indian skipper.
Explaining the same, Labuschagne said, “Virat’s white-ball cricket is phenomenal. The way he finishes innings, the way he finishes matches off, the way he chases. I think for me personally, I have learned a lot from him.”
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In the last year or so, Labuschagne has emerged as one of the most dependable batsmen for Australia. In the home summer, Labuschagne scored 896 runs with a double century, two 150 plus scores, a century and three half-centuries in eight innings.
Marnus Labuschagne aims to continue his purple patch and follow stalwarts like Virat, Smith, and David Warner.
