Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, particularly the head-to-head battle between star batters Virat Kohli and Steve Smith.
Maxwell emphasized that the performance of these two cricketing giants will be crucial in determining which team takes home the trophy.
The series kicks off on November 22 with the first Test at Perth, and both Kohli and Smith are regarded as part of the “Fab Four” in modern cricket, alongside England’s Joe Root and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson. Maxwell highlighted the significance of their rivalry, stating, “One of those two is going to make a lot of runs, if not both of them, and it is going to be pretty exciting to watch.”
Steve Smith boasts an impressive record in Test cricket, having scored 9,685 runs in 109 matches at an average of 56.97, including 32 centuries. In contrast, Virat Kohli has amassed 8,848 runs in 113 Tests at an average of 49.15, with 29 centuries to his name.
The competition between the two players has seen memorable moments, including a heartfelt gesture during the 2019 World Cup when Kohli stopped the crowd from booing Smith over the “Sandpaper Gate” incident, which Smith later appreciated.
Kohli’s performance in Australia has been remarkable, with 1,352 runs at an average of 54.08 in 13 Tests. Meanwhile, Smith is the ninth-highest run-scorer in Border-Gavaskar Trophy history, with 1,887 runs in 18 matches at an average of 65.06.
The series will feature five Tests, with the second Test at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10 in the exciting day-night format. Following that, the third Test at The Gabba in Brisbane will be held from December 14 to 18, and the traditional Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is set for December 26 to 30. The series will conclude with the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, promising a thrilling finish to this highly anticipated contest.
