Virat Kohli or Steve Smith, Shane Warne decides

Finally, the cricket fanatics have got a Messi v Ronaldo battle of their own. A contest, where the two competitors are way ahead of their compatriots, and often take the responsibilities of the nation on themselves. A battle, where it is hard to suggest one is edging past the other even by a hair’s breadth. A battle between the two ‘best’ batters of this era- Virat Kohli and Steve Smith.

Two ‘best’, because from a neutral perspective, it is hard to distinguish. The leaders of two cricketing sides of the highest order, who are incomparable by any stretch of the imagination. Keeping personal inclination aside, one can’t say who is the numero uno, as former Australian spinner Shane Warne couldn’t place one above the other.

Geographically, they are separated by some 8,000 kilometres. But the never-ending fighting spirit and courage that Sri Lanka and England faced were of the same magnitude. In his News Ltd column, Warne wrote, “It’s hard to split Virat Kohli and Smith for the title of No.1 Test batsmen in the world at the moment and the best players like the battle and are super competitive.”

Don’t instigate the best in the world

Amongst the numerous other things, a special trait which both Kohli and Smith possesses in abundance is the distinct ability to retaliate. Whenever they have been subjected to banter and sledging, they gave it back in such a fashion that the opponents will have to think twice, thrice, four times before instigating them again.

Australia have already won 2 of the 5 Tests of the ongoing Ashes, and would like to declare a wrap in the next Test at W.A.C.A Ground in Perth. Warne, who has spun many webs around the batters’ minds, wants the Three Lions not to sledge Smith, and if they do, they must know what’s coming their way.

“I’m not sure I’d be sledging him in Perth. If I was England the best thing now would be to not say a word to him when he walks out, just ignore him and give him the silent treatment. Engaging him in banter could just ignite the concentration within and lead to a big hundred for the Aussie skipper. It’s a bit like when the Australian teams that I played in started sledging Brian Lara – we learnt after the seventh or eighth ton that it wasn’t a great plan,” the Victorian wrote, as per cricket.com.au.