Star Australian batter Steve Smith recently shared insights about his camaraderie with Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli ahead of the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, set to begin on November 22. Kohli, known for his stellar performances in Australia, will be embarking on his fifth tour Down Under.
With 1352 runs across 13 matches at an impressive average of 54.08, Kohli’s record in Australia speaks volumes, and he will be keen to make a significant impact in the upcoming five-match Test series. In a candid conversation, Smith acknowledged Kohli’s competitive spirit, drawing an interesting comparison between the Indian cricketer’s mentality and the typical Australian approach.
According to Steve Smith, Kohli embodies the kind of aggression often associated with Australian players, always seeking to dominate his opposition. He remarked that Kohli’s mindset mirrors that of an Australian cricketer, particularly in the way he embraces challenges and thrives under pressure. Smith expressed his excitement about facing Kohli once again in the upcoming Australian summer.
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“We get on quite well, share messages every now and again. He’s a great guy and obviously a wonderful player. It’s going to be nice to come up against him again this summer,” Steve Smith shared during an interview with Star Sports.
.@stevesmith49 describes @imVkohli in his own way, talks about his approach on the field and looks forward to face him in the #BorderGavaskarTrophy! 🏆
Catch them in action in #BGTonStar, FRI 22 NOV onwards! 🏏 pic.twitter.com/29ruvJSUpk
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 10, 2024
Expanding on his thoughts, Steve Smith said, “I believe Virat Kohli is Australian in thoughts and actions. The way he gets into the challenge and tries to get on top of the opposition – he’s probably the most Australian of the Indian players, I’d say.”
However, Smith was quick to dismiss any notion of competition between himself and Kohli. Since taking on the opener role after David Warner’s retirement, Smith’s form has been inconsistent, though he delivered a standout unbeaten 91-run performance against the West Indies.
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Despite his recent struggles, Smith is focused on contributing to Australia’s success rather than engaging in a personal rivalry with Kohli. “There’s no real need to beat him or anything like that. It’s just about going out and playing, trying to score as many runs as I can, and helping Australia succeed. That’s what it’s all about,” Steve Smith concluded.
