Aaron Finch picks format-wise better player between Steve Smith and Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli and Steve Smith are two cricketers who are often debated as the two of the best batsmen of this era. Both the batsmen have records that are just too good to be ignored. However, fans and experts have often compared them. In a recent interaction, Australian limited-overs captain Aaron Finch discussed the similarities and differences between the two batsmen.

Finch pointed out that the two batsmen have great records in both home and away conditions. He gave the example of Kohli’s contrasting tour of England in 2014 and 2018. He also credited his teammate Smith as a dominant performer in all countries.

“In Test cricket, what is unbelievable about them is their records both at home and away. Virat had a tough series in England last time with Jimmy Anderson but he came back and dominated. Smith has never really struggled anywhere to be fair. He is an unbelievable Test player. The thing that puts them above all is how dominant they are all around the world. There is one thing to play in your own country but to it everywhere is extraordinary,” Aaron Finch told Sports Tak.

Going by their stats in Test cricket, Kohli’s batting average at home is 68.42. However, he falls behind at 44.36 in overseas conditions. Meanwhile, Smith has an average of 71.14 in Australia, and the average in overseas conditions is 60.15. Clearly, when it comes to performing in foreign conditions, Smith edges past Kohli. Finch further stated that he feels Smith has an edge over the Indian captain in Test cricket.

By the time Virat Kohli finishes his career, he will be the best one-day player of all time: Aaron Finch

“Sometimes they get out early, but that’s just part of the game but they do not miss out too many times in a row. When they get in they go big. I think Smith has an edge in Test cricket. Steve in Test cricket is unbelievable,” Finch added.

In his 73 Tests, Smith has scored 7227 with an average close to 63. In comparison with that, Kohli’s Test record falls short. The Delhi batsman has played 86 Tests scoring 7240 runs at an average of 53.62. However, the story is extremely different when it comes to one-day cricket. In this spectrum, there is no match to the Indian skipper. Finch also was of an opinion that Virat has a better record in one-day cricket and also edges past Smith in that format.

“By the time Virat Kohli finishes his career, he will be the best one-day player of all time, if he is not already. Playing against him is difficult but at times it is also beautiful to watch. It is like playing against anyone who is best of the best, regardless of whether it is Virat or Rohit or Kane Williamson or David Warner. Sachin (Tendulkar) got more hundreds and more runs but the way Virat constructs run chases and the number of hundreds he has got in winning run chases is extra-ordinary. So, T20, Virat probably has the edge over Steve Smith and it is just because he has played a bit more cricket,” Finch concluded.

Kohli has considerably much better numbers in the ODIs and T20Is. He has played more than Smith, but his records are unparalleled to anyone who has ever played the game. In 248 ODIs, he has scored 11867 runs at a staggering average of 59.33. Meanwhile, the Australian batsman has played only 125 ODIs and scored 4162 runs with an average of 42.46.

Even in the shortest format, Kohli has an upper hand over Smith. The former Australian skipper has played merely 39 T20Is scoring 681 runs with an average close to 30. On the other hand, Kohli managed to top the charts here as well. He has 2794 runs in 82 T20Is with an average of 50.80.