Booney wrote:Down the Hill wrote:Smith's style and technique is not for the purists but he just seems to be in his own time zone compared to other bats. Even the quickest of bowlers never do him for pace. I've never wanted to rate Kohli as high as Smith but now prepared to concede Kohli is with Smith in a league of their own. Kohli is probably the more vulnerable looking early in his innings but once he is set his shot execution is a joy to watch.
There's a stark difference between the two styles, that's for sure, Kohli nearly as pure as you get, Smith as unorthodox as you get.
When comparing the two though you need to look at how batter friendly the wickets Kohli plays on in India are, he's had success elsewhere for sure, but a low, slow deck in Chennai in 45° isn't exactly as bowler friendly as the Gabba or WACA. I guess you could say the same about Smith in Melbourne and Adelaide in recent times, too.
Kohli averages 55 in test matches in Australia so not sure the because he plays in India more often argument cuts it.
Kohli averages over 50 in Australia, India, New Zealand and South Africa
Smith averages over 50 in Australia, India, New Zealand and West Indies
Both average under 30 in Bangladesh
Both average low 40's in Sri Lanka