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Steve Smith inflicts fresh blow on humiliated Virat Kohli

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·2-min read

Steve Smith has added to Virat Kohli’s pain after the India skipper endured a nightmare Test series against New Zealand.

However the Australian star didn’t have to do anything to make it happen.

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India were humbled by New Zealand across the two-Test series, managing lowly scores of 165, 191, 242 and 124.

Kohli’s meagre scores of 2, 19, 3 and 14 gave him his worst average (9.50) in an away Test series in his 12-year career.

Steve Smith and Virat Kohli, pictured here in action for their countries.
Steve Smith has opened up a larger gap on Virat Kohli. Image: Getty

It was also just the second time he hasn’t passed 20 in a Test series.

The disappointing showing has now seen Kohli slide further behind Smith in the ICC Test batsmen rankings.

Smith recently dethroned Kohli as World No.1 batsman, but has now extended his lead over the World No.2 without playing a game.

Kohli rages at Kiwi fans and journo

A frustrated Kohli criticised his team and sparred with a journalist after New Zealand won the second Test inside three days to sweep the series on Monday.

But it left Kohli, who was caught making a foul-mouthed outburst to the crowd during day two, disappointed with his top-ranked side.

“We were completely outplayed in this series, and obviously did not play the kind of cricket that we do play as a team,” Kohli said.

“We were not positive enough, we were not brave enough.”

The irritation was clear from the current holder of the “spirit of cricket” award as he lost his World No.1 batting ranking following a string of low scores.

Kohli gave Williamson a very animated send-off in the first innings and he was caught on camera yelling an obscenity at a group of New Zealand supporters on Sunday.

But he refused to answer questions about his behaviour after the Test.

“What do you think?" he fired back at a journalist, when asked if it was appropriate conduct.

“If you want to create controversy this is not the right place to be. I spoke with the match referee and he had no issues with what happened.”

New Zealand are now unbeaten in their last 13 home Tests, winning nine of them, and in the past decade their record as hosts is played 39, won 20, drawn 13 and lost five.

with agencies