Virat Kohli rates Steve Smith as the 'best Test batter of this generation'

Steve Smith (L), Virat Kohli (R), Pic: AFP

Virat Kohli has labelled Steve Smith as the best Test batter of this generation, with his consistency and 'unbelievable' average of scoring runs in sight. Kohli's comments on Smith would be a huge accolade on the Australian as it came from another batting stalwart of the current generation.

"According to me, Steve Smith is the best Test player of this generation. He has displayed that, his adaptability is absolutely brilliant. You take any cricketer of this generation," Kohli said ahead of the ongoing World Test Championship final between India and Australia.

"Everybody knows his record, in 85-90 Tests, he has an average of 60 which is quite unbelievable. The consistency and impact with which he scores runs, I haven't seen any Test player doing that in last 10 years. It is credit to his skill and temperament," Kohli told Star Sports.

Also Read: WTC Final: Head, Smith shine as Australia post daunting 327/3 at stumps on Day 1

Coming into the WTC final, the 34-year-old Smith has scored 8792 runs from 96 Tests at an average of 59.80 with 30 hundreds and 37 fifties.

The 34-year-old Kohli, arguably the best all-format batter of this generation, has scored 8416 runs from 108 Tests at an average of 48.93 with the help of 28 hundreds and 28 fifties.

Meanwhile, Australia reached a mammoth 327 for three at stumps on the the opening day,riding on swashbuckling knocks from Travis Head and Steve Smith. Head and Smith were batting on 146 and 95 respectively at close of play on Day 1 as Australia added 157 runs in the final session which had 34 overs without losing any wicket. The duo added 251 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket stand.

Earlier, Australia, who were invited to bat, had added 97 runs in the post-lunch session in 28 overs for the loss of one wicket. They were 73 for 2 at lunch after opener David Warner made 43 off 60 balls.

(With PTI inputs)