Smith v Kohli (test match batting)

[Teja.]

Who is better right now and who will end up better after they’re both retired?

 

[Flem274*]

smith

kane
kohli

root

 

[Cabinet96]

I think it's probably closer than it feels right now but this is kind of a weird time to start this thread.

 

[TheJediBrah]

surely this thread can be merged with one of the other 57 or so on the same topic

 

[Teja.]

surely this thread can be merged with one of the other 57 or so on the same topic

No thread on same topic specifically.

 

[Teja.]

I think it's probably closer than it feels right now but this is kind of a weird time to start this thread.

“embrace your weirdness” - Boris Johnson

 

[CricAddict]

Not worth a discussion if it is just tests. Smith has moved on from Kohli, Kane, Root etc.

 

[Cabinet96]

It's actually pretty crazy how clear the batting hierarchy is in tests at the moment. Smith, followed by a gap, then Kohli and Williamson followed by another gap to the best of the rest. Don't think Root is even a standout over the likes of Pujara or Taylor in the best of the rest category these days.

I wonder if there was ever a period where the general order of Sachin, Ponting, Lara and Kallis was so clear. Maybe the mid 2000s when Ponting was dominating and Sachin was having a slump?

 

[Slifer]

Late 90s was sachin lil gap Waugh then Lara. If I remember correctly

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

The guy with the 60+ average.

 

[OverratedSanity]

It's almost like Smith has lapped the others in this race so it looks like it's close to a casual observer but it's really not.

 

[the big bambino]

He's not that far ahead but to comfortably shade a batsman of Kohli's historical standing does give you some idea of how good he's been.

 

[vcs]

There's no shame in being 2nd best to a guy averaging 65. It might become an argument if Smith has an extended lean patch and Kohli has another year like 2016-17, but not before then. It feels like Smith spent his year off practising hard and tuning up his mental game even further.

 

[OverratedSanity]

It's only reasonably when you only consider the last 3-4 years I suppose, even then it's pretty clearly Smith.

 

[vcs]

Kohli was really good between 2016-18 and Smith was banned for the last year which obviously made the debate legitimate for a while, but in one series Smith's shown that he's not lost any of his abilities.

 

[Chrish]

Smith.. His comeback couldn't have been more epic. Was humiliated at the airport, cried during the interview and everyone had massive doubt about his ability after getting back. Also got booed by the crowd after scoring those hundreds. This pressure would have destroyed most other players (look at Warner for example). I also like his selfless approach. He bats for the team, not just for numbers..

On a side note, how massive is Kohli's workload? I mean playing these tests along with ODIs, T20s, IPL; doesn't management care about resting him more often to prevent burnouts and injury?

 

[ma1978]

Debate on CW gives almost zero adjustment for conditions. Once Kohli and Smith are standardized for conditions, the difference between them is modest (I think before the Ashes Kohli was even slightly ahead). Smith is probably ahead after the Ashes but I doubt by much. I use PEWS standardized averages as a benchmark

 

[aussie tragic]

I'll take the guy who's averaged 110 over the last 18 months....not even close

 

[Flem274*]

this thread just proves how massively overhyped kohli is by his own fanbase and the indian media machine

 

[OverratedSanity]

Literally zero Indian fans picking kohli over Smith

Kohli overhyped by stupid Indians REEE