Virat Kohli is a terrific guy: Steve Smith

While the world debates who is better: Virat Kohli or Steven Smith, the two legends of the game continue showing immense respect for each other. Last year during the India vs Australia game at the World Cup, Virat Kohli made headlines for urging a section of fans to show respect for the Australian great, who was being booed for his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal that shook Australian cricket.

Now the Aussie great has called Virat Kohli a terrific guy. Recalling his early interactions with the Indian captain on chat show Cricket Connected on Star Sports, Smith said, “I have known Virat Kohli for a long time. Since 2007, I reckon, when he went up to the academy in Brisbane. I actually wasn’t a part of in-take then, but I was kind of up there, doing bowling and stuff.”

“He was there, we had some nice chats off the field. We had a couple of run-ins in the early days on the field. Those things happen when you are playing for your team and your emotions sometimes go out of control,” Smith said further.

“But he’s a terrific guy, he’s done terrific things with India. As an ambassador of the game. He’s getting better and better with each game, which is the scary thing,” added the 31-year-old.

India will be travelling to Australia later this year, and Smith thinks the series has the potential to be one of the best series between the two teams.

“I am so excited. It has the potential to be an all-time great series. You see guys like Jasprit Bumrah, who has come on heaps and bounds, he’s an incredible bowler. Mohammed Shami has got better and better. Ishant Sharma has the experience,” he said.

“There are other couple of Indian bowlers who could probably just get over here as well. Both sides have some quality spinners as well. This series has the making of an all-time great series and I can’t wait for it,” he concluded.