Steve Smith and Virat Kohli: Friendship and Rivalry Ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy
As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia approaches, Australian batter Steve Smith shared insights about his friendship with Indian star Virat Kohli. The series will start on November 22 with the first Test in Perth.
Smith on His Bond with Kohli
Steve Smith revealed that he and Virat Kohli often exchange text messages. Speaking on 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 also mentioned that Kohli’s competitive spirit makes him seem like an Australian. “The way he gets into it 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,” Smith added.
Focus on Team Success
When asked about competing with Kohli, Smith emphasized that his main goal is Australia’s success. “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,” he said.
Impressive Records
Both Smith and Kohli are part of the ‘Fab Four’ batters of the modern era, alongside England’s Joe Root and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson. Smith has scored 9,685 runs in 109 Tests, while Kohli has 8,848 runs in 113 Tests.
Memorable Moments
During the 2019 World Cup, Kohli stopped the crowd from booing Smith over the ‘Sandpaper Gate’ incident, a gesture that Smith appreciated and thanked Kohli for.
Upcoming Matches
The Border-Gavaskar series will feature five Tests:
| Test | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| First Test | November 22 | Perth |
| Second Test | December 6-10 | Adelaide Oval |
| Third Test | December 14-18 | The Gabba, Brisbane |
| Boxing Day Test | December 26-30 | Melbourne Cricket Ground |
| Fifth Test | January 3-7 | Sydney Cricket Ground |
The series promises to be an exciting contest between two cricketing giants.
Doubts Revealed
Steve Smith -: Steve Smith is a famous cricketer from Australia. He is known for being one of the best batters in the world.
Virat Kohli -: Virat Kohli is a famous cricketer from India. He is also known for being one of the best batters in the world.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy -: The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a series of cricket matches played between India and Australia. It is named after two famous cricketers, Allan Border from Australia and Sunil Gavaskar from India.
Fab Four -: The ‘Fab Four’ refers to four of the best modern-day cricketers: Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson. They are known for their excellent batting skills.
Perth -: Perth is a city in Australia. It is one of the places where the cricket matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be played.
Sydney Cricket Ground -: The Sydney Cricket Ground is a famous stadium in Sydney, Australia. It is one of the places where important cricket matches are held.
