Virat Kohli or Joe Root? Former England cricketers give their verdicts on the debate

The eternal debate surrounding modern cricket’s elite ‘Fab Four’ recently received an injection of expert analysis from those who know the pressures of the international stage best. In a captivating discussion on The Overlap and Betfair’s Stick to Cricket show, former England captains Michael Vaughan, Alastair Cook, and David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd, alongside spinner Phil Tufnell, dissected the careers of Virat Kohli and Joe Root.

The panel meticulously analysed the two batting icons across five distinct performance metrics. While both players have served as the undisputed batting backbones of their respective nations for over a decade, the English legends arrived at a fascinating consensus regarding who reigns supreme, depending entirely on the colour of the ball.

Virat Kohli vs Joe Root: Former England stars weigh in on cricket’s biggest batting debate

When assessing pure, multi-format supremacy, the English panel voted unanimously for Kohli. Vaughan labeled the Indian icon a “supreme run machine,” marveling at his unparalleled ability to dominate all three formats of the game simultaneously. Cook echoed this sentiment, highlighting Kohli’s staggering consistency and adaptability, particularly in limited-overs cricket, where his volume of centuries has rewritten the record books.

The panel also stood completely undivided on Kohli’s legendary status as the ultimate big-match player and chaser. Cook called Kohli’s white-ball chasing record “phenomenal,” while Vaughan boldly crowned him the greatest run-chaser in the history of limited-overs cricket. This clutch gene extended directly into Kohli’s leadership. Cook praised him for completely transforming India’s Test cricket culture by embedding a fierce, aggressive, and fearless mindset that triggered historic overseas victories. Vaughan emphasized that Kohli’s departure left a massive leadership void, reminding viewers that with 40 wins in 68 matches, he remains India’s most successful Test captain.

Furthermore, the panel expressed awe at Kohli’s ability to maintain this standard under a microscope. Cook pointed out the relentless, overwhelming public and media scrutiny Kohli faces every single day in India, admitting he personally could not imagine surviving under that level of psychological pressure.

However, when the spotlight shifted purely to the longest format of the game, Root took center stage. The panel unanimously chose Root as the most consistent performer in Test cricket across all conditions. Cook described Root as the immovable backbone of England’s red-ball lineup, while Vaughan noted Root’s flawless technique and calm demeanor, which often salvaged England’s innings when his teammates faltered. Root’s legendary status in the format was recently cemented when he became the fastest player in history to cross the 13,000 Test run milestone, achieving the feat in just 153 matches. Ultimately, Cook and Vaughan delivered a split verdict: at their absolute peak, Kohli is the finest all-format batter, but Root claims the crown as the superior pure Test specialist.

Virat Kohli has helped lead RCB to IPL glory! 🏆 🇮🇳

Is the Indian superstar better than Joe Root? 👀 🍿

— Stick to Cricket (@StickToCricket)

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Kohli and Root’s performance comparison across all formats as a batter

The expert opinions of the panel are firmly backed by the staggering career statistics of both players. In the traditional arena of Test cricket,  Root holds an edge in longevity and volume. Across 163 Test matches and 298 innings, Root has amassed 13,943 runs at an outstanding average of 51.07, remaining unbeaten 25 times. His red-ball mastery includes 41 centuries, 66 half-centuries, and a highest score of 254. In comparison, Kohli concluded his legendary Test career with 123 matches and 210 innings, accumulating 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. Kohli remained not out 21 times, matching Root’s highest score of 254 not out, while hammering 30 centuries and 31 fifties.

When looking at One Day Internationals (ODIs), Kohli’s numbers elevate him into a league of his own. Across 311 matches and 299 innings, Kohli has racked up a staggering 14,797 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 58.71, anchored by 47 redemptions of remaining not out. He has smashed 54 centuries and 77 fifties in the format at a striking rate of 93.82. Root’s ODI record is highly respectable, yielding 6,507 runs in 189 matches (178 innings) at a strong average of 49.52, including 20 centuries and 45 fifties, but it falls short of Kohli’s sheer volume.

In the shortest format, the contrast in their T20 international utilization is stark. Kohli scored 4,188 runs in 125 T20Is at a brilliant average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04. Root, conversely, played just 32 T20Is, scoring 893 runs at an average of 35.72.

Their franchise T20 journeys further illustrate this divide. Kohli has been a lifelong titan for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL, scoring 9,336 runs in 283 matches at an average of 40.41, including 9 centuries and 68 fifties. He also added 424 runs in the Champions League T20 (CLT20). Root’s T20 footprint spans various global leagues. He found his greatest domestic T20 success in England’s Vitality Blast, scoring 1,111 runs in 47 matches for Yorkshire at an average of 36.27. He also enjoyed a stellar stint in the SA20 for the Paarl Royals, averaging 55.80 across 8 matches, alongside shorter appearances in the Men’s 100 (452 runs), the Big Bash League (93 runs), the ILT20 (214 runs), and a 10 runs in his lone IPL match for the Rajasthan Royals.

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