News Mania Desk/ Sohom Chatterjee / 10th September 2024
In a recent interview with Star Sports, prior to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series between India and Australia which will begin on November 22, Australian batter Steve Smith had an interesting take on Indian batter Virat Kohli.
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 also was not shy of saying that Virat is an Australian “in thoughts and action”. He added, “The way he gets into it at all the way, gets into the challenge, and tries to get on top of the opposition. He is probably most Australian of the Indian players, I would say.”
When asked about their competition as batters, the Australian stated, “”There is no real, I need to beat him or anything like that. It is just about going out and playing and trying to score as many runs as I can and helping Australia have success. That is what it’s all about.”
The two players compete neck-in-neck in the test cricket format as the Australian so far in 109 tests has scored 9,685 runs at an average of 56.97, with 32 centuries and 41 fifties in 195 innings. In comparison to that, Virat has scored 8,848 runs in 113 Tests and 191 innings at an average of 49.15, with 29 centuries and 30 fifties.
First test of the BGT will be played at Perth between November 22 and 26. The second test is scheduled to be from December 6 to 10 at Adelaide Oval which will be a day-night match. The third match of the series will be played from December 14 to 18 at The Gabba in Brisbane.
The penultimate game will be on customary Boxing Day, from December 26 to 30 at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The final test is scheduled to happen at Sydney Cricket Ground
