Virat Kohli better skipper than Steve Smith, claims VVS Laxman

Kohli and Smith are two of the most expressive and successful captains in the current era with both leading their teams both on and off the field. Smith has been in-charge of the team for more games (41), he has won 60.52% of the games he has captained. Kohli, on the other hand, has an enviable record of winning an incredible 79.41% of his games as an ODI captain. 

"Virat is a better captain and while they are both young, Smith wasn't very proactive during the Test series. Virat also has the advantage of having someone like MS Dhoni in the team. Kohli leads by example and is the better skipper than Smith at the moment," Laxman explained, as reported by Cricketnext.

"The way Kohli leads the team, he is positive and proactive. He is ruthless in his approach and this team is looking to improve on its own and not looking at the opposition. These guys wish to execute their own goals. I don't see any weak link in this Indian team."

During Australia's tour of India, earlier this year, India won the competitive and controversial series 2-1 after losing the first Test by 333 runs. DRS gate and the following mocking incident heated up the things between the both skippers and for a while, it looked like cricket had taken the backseat. After the series, Kohli had admitted that his relationship with Australian cricketers had changed and that he didn't consider some of the Aussies "friends anymore". Laxman played down the significance of the statement adding that the series needs to be competitive and not a friendly affair.

"This is absolutely the no.1 rivalry. Both teams will fight hard and it won't be any different this season. None of us gave the Aussies a chance in the Test series, but they were most competitive. Coming to Kohli and Smith, they are modern day greats. The impact they have had at the international level is exemplary. On the field, you mean business and you don't need to be friends. They will be aggressive and will go all out. That is the way it should be because it is a competition and there is no friendship. They are highly competitive," Laxman added.

In the upcoming limited over series, the teams will play five ODIs and three T20Is with the first one being played in Chennai on September 17. 

"4-1 to India because the Australian bowling department looks very weak. The spinners are inexperienced and that is where the Indians will have an upper hand. But yes on the field, it is about which team does better on the day," Laxman predicted.