Australia vs India: 'It Would Be Difficult To Pick Between Virat Kohli and Steve Smith'- Andy Flower

Former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower said it is difficult to pick the better batsman between Australia and India greats Steve Smith and Virat Kohli as they have their unique styles of batsmanship.

Flower stated he is surprised by the level of success Smith has enjoyed with his unorthodox technique, especially in Test match cricket.

Smith started his career as a leg-spinner who could also contribute with the bat. However, he has improved significantly with time to become Australia’s premier top-order batsman.

Smith Has Done Amazingly Well In Test Cricket: Flower

Smith has scored 7,237 runs in 75 Tests at an astonishing average of 61.33, including 26 centuries. Because of his amazing consistency, Smith recently received the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Decade award.

“Well, it would be difficult to pick between them. (Steve) Smith has done amazingly well in Test cricket. I have been surprised by how well he’s done. But he’s shown that he can adapt his game and that’s a wonderful quality to be able to adapt and evolve and develop like Smith has done,” Flower told Times of India in an interview.

Kohli Is Incredibly Skilful, Hungry For Runs: Andy Flower

Andy Flower was also effusive praise for Kohli. Flower said the Indian captain is extremely skilful and hungry to perform for India. The Zimbabwean great think Kohli’s passion and determination have made him the modern-day master he is today.

Kohli has been amazingly consistent with the bat in his career across formats and recently won the ICC Male Cricketer of the Decade award.

Noting a similarity, Flower said Kohli and Smith are both good role models for the youngsters and have exemplary leadership traits.

“(Virat) Kohli is incredibly skilful, hungry (for runs), and likes combat. He likes the battle. And I really admire that in him. I admire his energy which is up all the time. I think they have both (Virat Kohli and Steve Smith) got very good leadership traits. They’re good role models. I know Steve Smith has had a few battles in that area, obviously. But I admire them both and I’m not going to pick one or the other,” Andy Flower said.

Andy Flower opted against picking any one of the two batting maestros.

Kohli batted brilliantly in the first innings of the Adelaide Test against Australia and returned home after the completion of the fixture to attend the birth of his first child.

India were still able to bounce back and clinch a memorable win in the following Test in Melbourne to level the four-match series 1-1.

Smith, on the other hand, is going through a rough patch as he has managed just 10 runs from his four innings in the series thus far. The right-hand batsman will be eyeing a big score in the next Test starting January 7 in Sydney.