‘Superstar’ Virat Kohli will keep Tests relevant: Graeme Smith

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith has called Indian skipper Virat Kohli the ‘superstar’ of international cricket and he believes that as long as Kohli promotes the red-ball cricket, Test cricket will remain relevant.

Smith lauds Kohli and feels he is the saviour of Test cricket

Smith was speaking at the Jagmohan Dalmiya Annual Conclave (Chapter II) when he addressed the issue of keeping Test cricket relevant. The former opening batsman admitted that the world cricket is lacking huge amount of superstars. He feels that may be one or two in England but he believes that Virat is that guy.

Smith pointed out that the fact that Kohli loves Test cricket and puts in performance, it keeps Test cricket relevant in a country that loves the game with IPL and other T20s. He feels that it is huge for the game.

According to Smith, as long as Virat keeps promoting Test cricket as an icon and superstar, we all have the chance to keep the game relevant.

Smith also unhappy with Kookaburra ball

Recently the balls used in international cricket have come under the scanner. Indian players kohli, Ashwin and Umesh Yadav has publicly criticised the SG ball and Smith too is unhappy with the Kookaburra ball.

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He said that the the Kookaburra ball in particular is letting people down. The left-hand batsman explained that it is a ball that softens and does not swing for a long period of time and he thinks Test cricket cannot afford to have boring draws.

Smith feels that Test cricket needs the ball to spin, it needs the ball to swing and movement in the air. He added that it needs competition between the bat and the ball so as to keep Test cricket to stay relevant.