IND vs AUS: "Virat Kohli is Australian" - Steve Smith's sensational claim

Star Australia batter Steve Smith made interesting remarks about his friendship with former Indian skipper Virat Kohli ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series. Steve Smith said that he and Virat Kohli get along well off the field and occasionally exchange messages.

Steve Smith and Virat Kohli are the best players of their respective teams in modern-day cricket. The two ace batters will face each other during the upcoming BGT series in Australia. They will aim to stamp their authority in the five-match Test series to help their respective teams later this year.

Share Messages Every Now And Again - Steve Smith

In a video shared by Star Sports on X (formerly known as Twitter), Steve Smith opened up about his friendship with Virat Kohli. Smith praised Kohli as both a great guy and a wonderful player. He expressed his excitement about facing him again in the upcoming series.

“We get on quite well, share messages every now and again. Look he’s a great guy and obviously a wonderful player. So, it’s gonna be nice to come up against him again this summer,” Smith told Star Sports.

.@stevesmith49 describes @imVkohli in his own way, talks about his approach on the field and looks forward to face him in the #BorderGavaskarTrophy! 🏆

Catch them in action in #BGTonStar, FRI 22 NOV onwards! 🏏 pic.twitter.com/29ruvJSUpk

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 10, 2024

Smith has amassed 9,685 runs in 109 Tests at an average of 56.97, including 32 centuries and 41 half-centuries. Smith has taken on the role of an opener in Tests since David Warner's retirement. However, he has scored just 171 runs in eight innings at an average of 28.5, with only one half-century.

It will be intriguing to see whether Smith returns to the No. 4 spot for the upcoming series. Australia may need to bring in a specialist opener from domestic cricket or use another makeshift option. Former players have suggested that Travis Head could be a potential choice for the opening position.

Virat Kohli Is Australian Thoughts And Action - Steve Smith

Steve Smith said that Virat Kohli has a mindset and approach similar to Australian players. The former Australian skipper added that Kohli's aggressive attitude and competitive nature make him the most "Australian" among Indian cricketers.

“I believe Virat Kohli is Australian in thoughts and action. The way he gets into it at all the way, gets into the challenge and tries to get on top of the opposition. He’s probably most Australian of the Indian players I’d say.”

“There’s no real, I need to beat him or anything like that. It’s just about going out and playing and trying to score as many runs as I can and helping Australia have success. That’s what it’s all about,” Smith added in the same video.

Virat has an impressive record in Australia, with 1,352 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 54.08, including six centuries. Overall, he has scored 2,042 runs in 25 matches against Australia at an average of 47.49. Meanwhile, Smith has scored 2,042 Test runs against India at an average of 65.87, with nine centuries.

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