Steve Smith vs. Virat Kohli: Ricky Ponting recently stirred controversy by leaving out Virat Kohli from the debate on the best player of this generation. Instead, he topped it with Steve Smith, underlining the latter’s incredible feats in Test cricket. Ponting’s comments came when Smith achieved 10,000 Test runs and scored his 35th century on the same day.
Smith made history in Galle by becoming the 15th man to cross 10,000 Test runs. He also became the fourth Australian to reach this landmark, joining legends like Ponting himself. He also equaled the record for being the second-fastest to this milestone. Smith dominated further as he surpassed Sunil Gavaskar on the all-time century list, cementing his place as one of the modern greats.
Ponting’s Reasons to Support Smith
Ponting had his defense. He argued with the evidence that Smith had shown consistency and, in his Test career, nothing could match it. Ponting admitted Joe Root and Kane Williamson were pretty solid contenders, but he felt Smith’s stats simply didn’t let anyone disagree over his position as the greatest batsman for Test cricket of this generation.
Until 2020, Kohli was the lead man in the “Fab Four” with 27 Test centuries, ahead of Smith, Williamson, and Root. His form dipped in the next years, while Root continued to surpass everyone by scoring 19 centuries since 2020. Kohli has added only three Test hundreds in the last four years and finds himself at the bottom of the list among the Fab Four in terms of recent performance.
A generational debate without a clear winner
Ponting said opinions are divided depending on the nationality when it comes to who is the best player in this generation. Australians think Smith is the man, while the English supporters root for Root and New Zealand fans for Williamson. Kohli, though declining in Test cricket has lost his sheen, yet his overall contributions across formats continue to make him a front runner.
The Verdict: Who Truly Stands Out?
Numbers favor Smith in Test cricket, but the debate remains open. Kohli’s admirers point to his dominance in all formats, while Root’s recent resurgence makes him a strong competitor. Ultimately, personal preferences and perspectives shape this ongoing debate, keeping cricket fans engaged in one of the sport’s most intriguing discussions.
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