Virat Kohli is like Roger Federer; Smith more like Rafael Nadal, compares AB de Villiers

Virat Kohli is like Roger Federer; Smith more like Rafael Nadal, compares AB de Villiers

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AB de Villiers compared Kohli and Smith to Federer and Nadal

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BCCI

AB de Villiers has compared Virat Kohli and Steve Smith to the likes of Tennis stars - Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, with one talented and the other doing amazing things at the crease. The South African has also added that in cricket, he just hangs out with one or two in South Africa.

After making their debuts in the latter part of the 2000s, Virat Kohli and Steve Smith have made a drastic impact on their respective national team. While Virat Kohli led the side to their first victory against Australia away from home, Smith helped the Australian team retain their Ashes on English soil. 

It was Australia’s first Ashes series draw in England since the start of the last decade. Their counterparts, in the Tennis world, have to be two of the best players in the form of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Former South African skipper, AB de Villiers compared the Indian skipper to the talented Swiss tennis star while drawing Nadalesque comparison with Smith. 

"It's a difficult one, but Virat is definitely the more natural ball-striker, there's no doubt about that. In tennis terms, I'd say he's more like a Federer whereas Smith is like a Nadal. Smith is mentally very strong and figures out a way of scoring runs - he doesn't look natural, but he ends up writing records and doing amazing things at the crease,” he said, reported ESPNCricinfo. 

“I think mentally, Smith is one of the best I have ever seen. Virat has also scored runs all over the world and won games under pressure," he added. 

On the other hand, the right-hander talked about his friendship with fellow cricketers back home in South Africa. He added that since his cricketing days, he has stayed in touch with Morne Morkel, Faf du Plessis, Dale Steyn and JP Duminy. 

"From a South Africa point of view, I've stayed in touch with Morne Morkel, Faf [du Plessis] and Dale . Dale and I have come a long way together as well, I mean we've known each other since we were school kids and in primary school. JP as well. There's no real best friend when it comes to cricket, you just hang out a bit more with one or two," he concluded.

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