Among all debates in the cricketing world, few can be as hotly contested as the one that pits Steve Smith against Virat Kohli. Both are members of the elite 'Fab Four' featuring Joe Root and Kane Williamson-heroes with careers that have been nothing less than stuff of legend. And when India locks horns with Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, the divide between the two gets fiery. So let's dive deep into a detailed comparison of their careers across all three formats to determine who stands more decisively supreme. Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith : Performance of All Platforms Player Test matches Test runs ODI matches ODI runs T20I matches T20I runs Virat Kohli 115 8947 295 13960 125 4188 Steve Smith 109 9685 163 5583 67 1049 Virat Kohli would probably take the last two seasons pretty badly. Runs have been scarce, and even on those few days he seemed in good touch he got out in ridiculously mannered ways. But as seen from the table below, Virat Kohli has mostly better stats and numbers across the three formats than Steve Smith. Of course, in the game's longest format, the value of Steve Smith goes up. The Australian batter has been in wonderful form lately. He chalked up half-centuries in the first Test, second Test as well as third Test match against Pakistan recently. Also Read | Surprising Cricket Facts You Didn’t Know! Test Your Knowledge Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith : Test Cricket Player Test matches Test Innings Test runs Average Highest Score Not Outs 100s 200s Virat Kohli 115 195 8947 48.89 254 12 29 7 Steve Smith 109 195 9685 56.97 239 25 33 4 Smith's astonishing average of 60.11 is second only to the great Sir Donald Bradman and Herbert Sutcliffe among players who have played more than 50 tests. Both Smith and Kohli have scored 27 test hundreds, but the former has achieved this in 17 fewer games. Their comparison with each other is quite spectacular. Kohli has aggregated 2083 runs against Australia while his average stands at 54.82 to his credit, with eight Test centuries. Smith has been even more aggressive against India where he has plundered 1742 runs at an astonishing average of 72.58, also with eight Test centuries. Both players play similarly in home conditions. Kohli scores at 61.06 average in India, while Smith scores at 62.92 average in Australia. What varies is the away Tests - Kohli averages at 42.82, while Smith boasts an incredible 53.59 average, stamping his authority in Test cricket. Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith : ODI cricket Player ODI matches ODI runs Average Highest Score Strike Rate Not Outs 100s 50s Virat Kohli 295 13906 58.18 183 92.92 44 50 72 Steve Smith 163 5583 43.35 164 87.23 19 12 34 There is hardly a contest on the debate between Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith in ODI cricket as Kohli not only beats Smith in every criterion but is also among the great ODI batsmen ever. He has the highest ODI average among players who have played more than fifty ODI matches. He is also only six centuries away from Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI hundreds. On the other side is Steve Smith, who first featured in the one day's format back in 2010, playing fewer than half the ODIs Virat Kohli has since racked up, having appeared only in 128 caps. He has so far garnered 4378 runs at an average of 43.35 and has 11 centuries to his name which is quite minuscule compared to what Virat Kohli has achieved in ODI cricket. Also Read | 10 Lesser-Known Facts About MS Dhoni | Number 7 Unmasked Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith : Twenty20 International Cricket Player T20I matches T20I runs Average Highest Score Strike Rate Not Outs 100s 50s Virat Kohli 125 4188 48.69 122 137.68 31 1 38 Steve Smith 67 1094 24.86 90 125.45 9 0 5 It's pretty much a no-brainer. Virat Kohli is one of the finest exponents of the shortest formats of the sport and has played with distinction. Virat Kohli was also awarded Player of the Tournament in the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups. He also is the highest T20I batting average. In comparison, Steve Smith is not really a good player in this format. He is very slow and his method is also sluggish as it reflects with the strike rate of 125.32. As this expert is very good in finding gaps in the field, Smith has also recorded a pretty low average that is 26.06. Smith could manage only four half-centuries out of 54 innings which is regarded as a poor return. Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith : IPL Performance Even in the Indian Premier League, it is Virat Kohli who features at the top. Kohli happens to be one of the greatest to play in the league. He is the highest run-scorer in IPL history. For reference, Steve Smith went unsold in the IPL 2022 mega auction. Player IPL matches IPL runs Average Highest Score Strike Rate 100s 50s Virat Kohli 207 6283 37.4 113 129.95 5 42 Steve Smith 103 2485 34.51 101 128.09 1 11 Whereas Steve Smith has relatively better numbers in the Indian Premier League wherein he averages 34.51 and strikes at a rate of 128.09, he has hardly ever been the jewel of a franchise. Unlike Virat Kohli who holds several all-time records in the IPL that come closer to almost impossible tasks. Thus, considering all these factors, Virat Kohli emerges as easy winner of this debate called Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli. In fact, the only area where Smith betters Kohli is Test cricket but Virat Kohli is a modern batsman who was exceptional across all formats and has had more celebrated career. Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith : Beyond the Numbers While statistics paint one picture, both these players have taken the game in different ways and this has enhanced the game. Smith's unorthodox technique, which worked well for him in Test cricket, left bowlers all around the world confused. Kohli's adaptability to all formats of the game as well as his aggressive captaincy has overhauled Indian cricket. The scandal over the sandpaper incident brought a temporary end to Smith's cricketing career. Kohli has had his share of woes with form in the recent past as well. Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith : The Verdict All formats considered, Virat Kohli represents the more all-rounded batsman. While there is little doubt Smith performs better than Kohli at Test cricket perhaps even better, Kohli performs better at all three formats. His adaptability to the game situation accounts for why he edges over the opposition in this epic clash of titans. Rather, cricketing fans should enjoy the experience of seeing two contemporary greats playing at the same time. Smith and Kohli have enriched the game through their different styles and fine achievements; hence, they are written into cricket's hall of fame.