Virat Kohli's achievements as a player are exceptional says Steve Smith

Steve Smith has been in phenomenal form in all the formats of the game. He has been terrific for his national team and for all the franchises he has played for. Smith is now proving how venomous he can be as a captain as well. He broke India’s winning streak in Tests earlier in the year and almost won them a famous series as well.

The young and enthusiastic Australian captain got candid with India Today. He talked a lot about his career and his time in India and many more things. The 28-year old also talked about his rivalry with Kohli and also Australia’s rivalry with India.

On the journey in the IPL

Steve Smith was given the captaincy of the Rising Pune Supergiant team under some questionable circumstances. However, Smith ignored everything that was written in the media and took his team to the finals. They fell just short as Mumbai clinched their third title in a cliff-hanger game. Smith talks about the roster and some young players in the team.“I think we had a really good team, the players. I think we did really well in the auction, the guys we picked up there, Rahul Tripathi, Manoj Tiwary, Jaydev Unadkat, Washington Sundar, all guys did particularly well for the team.

“I think we had a really good team, the players. I think we did really well in the auction, the guys we picked up there, Rahul Tripathi, Manoj Tiwary, Jaydev Unadkat, Washington Sundar, all guys did particularly well for the team.

“We just had a very good mix of players. Unfortunately, we were unable to get over the line, we messed a few things up in the final but all in all, it was a really good season for a team that was only in its second year in the tournament. A lot of other teams were established and it was a very good effort to get that far,” he added.

On his contemporary Virat Kohli

Smith and Kohli have been involved in many on and off the field arguments as well. There were some seriously spiced up moments in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and both the captains were at the center of it. Smith, however, was all praise of contemporary. He said that Kohli is a class act and his achievements are exceptional.

“Virat is a terrific player and captain and what he has done with the Indian team, it’s been exceptional. Personally, I don’t like to have battles with different players, I only try to go out there and do the best job that I can, for myself and for the team. I put everything behind me and just concentrate on the job at hand. I leave the comparison for others to do, for me it’s about doing the best that I can and trying to get better every day,” said Smith.

On India-Australia battles

India vs Australia is always a mouth-watering battle. Both teams share a common attitude and that is to never give up. India have grown into it lately while Australia have always had it in them. Smith talked about how this is one of the toughest places to visit. He said that it is his dream to win a series here in India.

“It is a massive rivalry (India vs Australia), it has been for so long. I think I came out the other day and said, as captain of the Australian team, one thing that I would like to do is win a series here in India. It’s one of the toughest places to come and play for an Australian player.

“The wickets are so different to what we get back home. That’s a dream of mine, to be able to lead the team to a win. It a huge rivalry, we always love playing against each other, it’s always great cricket. This one-day series and the T20 series is no different,“ he concluded.