Virat Kohli and Steve Smith in ICC Finals, Tournament Knockout Matches – A Comparative Guide

Kohli and Smith, both 34, are approaching the final few laps of their career and both have astronomical numbers beside them. The pair have scored a plethora of runs for their teams across all formats, and have often been the saviour in need.

Virat Kohli has been a stellar performer for India over the years. The India batter has 75 centuries across all formats for India, and is the second-highest centurion in World cricket, just behind Sachin Tendulkar. He has over 25000 runs in international cricket and has played 498 international matches in a 15-year career span.

Steve Smith, on the other hand, is an Australian star who has had a meteoric rise. Starting his career as a leg-spinner, Smith has transformed himself to become one of the best batters of the game across all generations. The New South Wales-born player has almost 23000 international runs in 302 international matches.

But today we shall take a closer look how these two players have done when it has come to an ICC knockout match over the years. Smith and Kohli both are playing in the ongoing WTC Final 2023 and we have already seen a glimpse of their batting.

Virat Kohli in ICC and other Knockout Matches

Virat Kohli has played 20 ICC knockout matches across all formats. The Indian batter has scored 746 runs in 23 innings so far. When it comes to the Finals, Kohli has managed 343 runs at an average of 31, and the batter is most lethal in the semi-finals with an average of 94, coupled with a strike rate of 120.

Kohli record in WTC Finals

In WTC Finals, Kohli has had a disappointing run. The India batter has only managed 71 runs in 3 innings at an average of 23.7, with his highest being just 44.

Kohli record in ODI Finals

Kohli’s record in ODI Finals also doesn’t bode well. He has managed only 154 runs in 8 innings across all of his major ODI finals, scoring at an average of 22. His last ODI final was against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy in 2017, where the player managed only 5 runs. His best display in an ODI final came against England back in the 2013 Champions Trophy Final, where he scored 43 runs off 34 balls and India won the tournament.

Steve Smith in ICC and other Knockout Matches

Steve Smith has featured in 12 international knockout matches in his career across all formats. And he has so far scored 539 runs in 11 innings at an impressive average of 60. The Australian has also scored 2 centuries and 3 fifties in those matches so far.

Smith record in WTC Finals

This year’s WTC Final is Smith’s first and the batter has already managed 155 runs in two innings.

Smith record in ODI Finals

The Australian batter has amassed 152 runs in the four ODI finals that he has played. He scored an unbeaten 56 in the World Cup 2015 Final against New Zealand, whereas managed a decent 40 against England in a tri-series final back in 2015 as well.

Virat Kohli in ICC Finals

Kohli has so far played 6 ICC tournament finals in his career.

Steve Smith in ICC Finals

Steve Smith has batted in 3 finals including the 1st inning of the ongoing match against India at the Oval. He has an average of 106 so far in ICC finals across all formats.

The Aussie scored his 31st Test hundred at the Oval whereas Virat Kohli was dismissed after just 14 runs. Although the debate on the supremacy between them may continue, but there is a clear winner when it comes to performing in crucial ICC and other tournament finals.