During a quick Q&A with BBC Sport Wales, Australian batting star Steve Smith was asked to name the greatest batter in cricket history.
Without much hesitation, he mentioned Sachin Tendulkar’s name. The former India opener played for more than two decades, appearing in 664 international matches and amassing over 34,000 runs.
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Smith also clarified his distinction between the “greatest cricketer” and the “greatest batter.” He labelled South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis as the best cricketer ever, but Tendulkar topped his batting list.
Steve Smith chooses Sachin Tendulkar over Virat Kohli
While Virat Kohli’s numbers are remarkable with more than 27,500 runs in 550 matches and the most centuries in ODI history, Smith’s choice leaned towards the unmatched longevity and consistency of Tendulkar’s career.
Tendulkar still holds records for most runs in both Tests and ODIs, as well as the highest number of appearances in both format.
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India or England 👀 Steve Smith answers some rapid fire questions‼️
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What else did Steve Smith reveal in the rapid-fire round?
Aside from his GOAT batter pick, Smith was also asked about his toughest cricket rival. His answer was clear, England. While he acknowledged India as a massive opponent, Smith said nothing beats the intensity of an Ashes series.
When asked about his favourite century, he picked his 144-run innings at Edgbaston during the first Test of the 2019 Ashes which was his comeback series after the ball-tampering ban.
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Currently, Smith is featuring for Welsh Fire in The Hundred, though runs have been hard to come by this season.
His next big assignment will be the 2025–26 Ashes series, starting later this year, where he will again face his most cherished rivalry.