Former Australia captain Aaron Finch has already declared that the performances of Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, the two totems of India and Australia, will have a massive impact on the outcome of the WTC Final 2023.
In less than a week’s time, Kohli vs Steve Smith debate will rage on as India and Australia will meet in the WTC Final – at a neutral venue: The Oval in London.
Australia had toured India earlier this year and lost 2-1 with Virat Kohli recording a century – breaking his long Test century drought – in Ahmedabad. But the WTC Final challenge now for both the teams’ batters is very much different than it was in India or Australia. It’s the English conditions that will challenge the technique, temperament and tempo of the batters of both teams.
Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli at The Oval:
Steve Smith has far superior numbers than Virat Kohli at The Oval ground. While Virat has an ordinary average of 28 in 3 Tests at The Oval with a solitary fifty in 6 innings, Steve Smith has plundered 391 runs in 3 Tests here and averages a sensational 97.75! Smith has notched up 2 centuries and 1 fifty here in 5 innings.
Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli in England:
England has been perhaps the toughest conditions Virat Kohli has encountered in his career, while Steve Smith has felt like home away from home.
In England, Kohli averaged a mediocre 33 with 2 hundreds and 5 fifties in 31 innings. Smith, on the other hand, averages an impressive 59 in England, having notched up 6 centuries and 7 fifties in 30 knocks.
Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith head-to-head record:
Kohli has taken the Australian bowlers to a liking: Kohli has scored 1979 runs in 24 Tests against Australia at an average of 48, including five fifties and 8 centuries with a highest score of 186.
Steve Smith, too, has enjoyed facing and scoring against the Indian bowlers: Steve Smith has amassed 1887 runs in 18 Tests against India at a terrific average of 65, comprising 8 hundreds and 5 fifties.
Former Australia white-ball captain Aaron Finch has already declared that the scores of Kohli and Steve Smith would be decisive in the WTC Final and that the bowlers of both teams would have to stop the opponent’s best batter at a cheap score.
Speaking with Star Sports, Finch said: “Both batting at number four, so the key is to try and get them as early as possible, early wickets to expose them to the brand new ball will be absolutely key. I will always side with Steve Smith, I think his record is outstanding, but it will be a very good contest.”
