"He's The Best Batsman Of This Era": Ian Chappell's Striking Verdict On Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith Debate

There is absolutely no denying that Virat Kohli has been the best performer among the fab four in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. The Fab Four is short for ‘Fabulous Four’ and is a popular term used to club together four batsmen- Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson – widely considered to be the best batsmen of this generation.

Virat Kohli has once again earned the bragging rights as the best among the fab four with his starring display in the ongoing World Cup. While the likes of Smith, Root and to some extent, Williamson have not really managed to make a big impact, Virat Kohli has proved his class once again.

He is one of the reasons behind India’s utter domination in the ongoing World Cup. He is currently the leading run-scorer in the tournament and has already broken Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most runs in a single edition of the World Cup. In 10 matches, he has scored 711 runs with the help of three centuries and five half-centuries.

Ian Chappell shares his views on the Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith debate:

Talking about Steve Smith, the former Australia captain has had a poor campaign by his standards. In 9 matches, he has scored 298 runs with the help of two centuries. Following Kohli and Smith’s performances in the World Cup so far, former Australia skipper Ian Chappell has shared his views on the much-talked-about Kohli vs Smith debate.

Speaking on Wide World of Sports, the Australia great said: “No, we haven’t. (on Smith’s best form). Let’s go back to Kohli first. He doesn’t anymore but there was a point in his career where he averaged over 50 in all three formats. Now, that’s remarkable performance. I think Kohli is probably the best batsman of this era.

“I like his attitude. I heard him interviewed about batting and I think’s he’s got a terrific approach to batting. The other thing to look at is his fitness. He is 36-years of age, have a look at how he was running between the wickets. He is obviously put fitness right up there.

“Steve Smith, he is an important man in this Australian side, even though he hasn’t played his best. He plays spin better than anyone in the team and that might be really important in the final. Steve Smith tries to play his own way and that is important, but to me one of the crucial guys for Australia will be David Warner at the top,” he added.

Both Kohli and Smith will be looking to star for their respective teams in the upcoming World Cup final between India and Australia. The match is scheduled to take place on Sunday (November 19) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.