As the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches, Australian star batter Steve Smith shared insights into his relationship with India’s Virat Kohli, revealing that they exchange messages often and expressed why he believes Kohli embodies an “Australian” spirit in his approach to the game.
The first Test of the series between India and Australia will commence on November 22 at Perth.
Speaking to Star Sports, Smith said, “We get on quite well, share messages every now and again. Look, he is a great guy and obviously a wonderful player. So, it is going to be nice to come up against him again this summer.”
Smith went on to describe Kohli as the most “Australian” among Indian players. “The way he gets into it, takes on the challenge, and tries to dominate the opposition – he’s probably the most Australian of the Indian players in thoughts and action,” Smith remarked.
Regarding any personal rivalry between the two prolific batters, Smith dismissed the notion. “There is no real, ‘I need to beat him’ mentality. It’s just about going out there, scoring as many runs as I can, and helping Australia succeed. That’s what matters most,” he added.
Smith and Kohli are part of the modern era’s “Fab Four,” which also includes England’s Joe Root and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson. Statistically, Smith has accumulated 9,685 runs in 109 Tests at an impressive average of 56.97, while Kohli has 8,848 runs in 113 Tests, averaging 49.15.
Despite being fierce competitors on the field, the two players shared a touching moment during the 2019 World Cup when Kohli defended Smith against crowd jeering related to the “Sandpaper Gate” scandal. Smith later publicly thanked Kohli for the gesture.
Kohli’s Test performances in Australia have been outstanding, with 1,352 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 54.08, including six centuries. Against Australia, he has totaled 2,042 runs in 25 Tests. Smith, meanwhile, has been equally formidable, with 1,887 runs in 18 Border-Gavaskar matches at an impressive average of 65.06.
The Border-Gavaskar series is set to provide a gripping spectacle, with Tests scheduled in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne (Boxing Day Test), and the grand finale in Sydney from January 3 to 7, 2025.
