Mitchell Starc and Steven Smith recently praised Virat Kohli, drawing comparisons between the Indian cricket superstar and Australian players, particularly for his intense competitive spirit.
Both Australian cricketers noted how Kohli’s on-field behavior—marked by aggression, passion, and a desire to excel in high-pressure situations—aligns with the traditional Australian approach to cricket.
Starc, said, “I believe Virat Kohli is probably the most Australian-like in terms of his desire to perform in big games. The way he takes on the game, the way he thinks about the game. He loves getting into the contest, which I think a lot of Australian players do.”
Steve Smith echoed this sentiment, agreeing with Starc. He stated, “I believe Virat Kohli is Australian in both thought and action. The way he gets into a battle, the way he embraces the challenge, and tries to get on top of the opposition. He’s probably the most Australian of the Indian players, I’d say.”
These comments come ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series, which begins on November 22 in Perth. The series is expected to be fiercely contested, with Kohli’s aggressive approach and leadership style expected to be a key feature. The five-Test series includes a day-night Test in Adelaide and the iconic Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
This rivalry promises high-octane cricket, with Kohli’s “Australian-like” intensity likely to be a major talking point as India faces off against Australia.
