Former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin had his say about the best batsmen in the world among current crop on Thursday. It has been Virat Kohli versus Steve Smith in at the moment in international cricket, where both batsmen are churning runs at will throughout 2017.

Azhar admitted that Smith is going through the best patch of his life in the Test cricket, but he feels it is Kohli who is the best batsman at the moment. He pointed out towards the consistency of Indian skipper in every format while limited-over cricket is his kingdom.

However, he rated both as the best and quoted “I think Steve Smith’s record is also good. But if you look at all three formats, Virat has really done well. I think both are best at the moment.”

Meanwhile, Hyderabad born cricketer backed Kohli for a good show with the bat in South Africa, which will be his Test of captaincy skills.

Azharuddin further added to International Business Times “He (Virat Kohli) is the key batsman but everybody has to rally around him because you can’t put too much pressure on him. He is human, he can also fail. At the end of the day, everybody has to do well.”

The first Test between India and South Arica will commence on January 5 in Cape Town’s Newland stadium. The three-match series is expected to be a mouthwatering clash between the two cricketing giants.