479 runs in three Test matches in the ongoing Ashes series at an astounding average of 159.66 is how former Australia skipper Steve Smith has announced his return to the Test arena after serving a one year ban for the Sandpaper Gate fiasco. While he hit a double century on Thursday, he had already taken back the No.1 Test batsman’s slot from Indian skipper Virat Kohli. But the debate who is currently the best batsman in world cricket refuses to die down.

Making a tough choice between Steve Smith and Virat Kohli, legendary Australian leg spinner Shane Warne has named Smith the ‘best batsman’ of the world.

Recently the former Australia leg-spinner has said to a media, “If I have to pick one for Tests, Smith would have a slight advantage over his otherwise favourite Kohli. Warne feels across formats though Kohli takes the cake.”

The second highest wicket taker in the field of World Test Cricket stated, “As far as Test cricket goes, I would probably say it is a really tough one between Virat and Smith. But I think if I had to pick one batsman in Test cricket, it would be Smith, but if I lost that and had Virat, I would still be happy because he is a legend.”

Warne told, “I think Virat is the best batsman in the world. I think if I had to pick one batsman across all formats, it would have to be Virat. Viv Richards was the greatest batsman I saw in ODI cricket and in all cricket probably. But Virat is now the greatest ODI player that we have seen. He overtakes Viv for me.”

Warne feels that Kohli has the attitude needed to go out and succeed against the best bowlers in the game. “I think he will break all records and I am a big fan of how he goes about his job and I have said that publicly as well. I think Virat in all forms of the game is the best batsman in the world,” he said.

While Kohli’s achievements as a batsman are well documented, the captain has often been criticised. But Warne differ and feels that the Indian skipper is learning the tricks of the trade and getting better with each passing day.

“I think he is a wonderful leader. You are never the best version of yourself when you first start as captain and it generally takes a bit of time. I think he is growing into the role. I think maybe he was a little bit too emotional when he took over, but I love his passion and I think he is starting to get the balance between emotion, passion and being calm. I think he is also getting better tactically,” he explained.