[Watch] "Numbers will tell you it is.." Dinesh Karthik picks better test batsman between Joe Root and Virat Kohli

Joe Root recently became the leading test centurion for England, surpassing Alastair Cook.

Former India wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik has picked the batsman “who would bat for my life” between England star Joe Root and former India captain Virat Kohli.

Root’s ascension in recent years has been splendid and at the moment he is leaving the other three members of the Fab Four – Kohli, Kane Williamson and Steve Smith – behind. Recently he recorded his 34th test century to become England’s all-time leading test centurion, and he is less than 100 runs away from breaking Cook’s record of most test runs for England as well.

Since the start of 2021, Root has amassed 4567 runs, while the second best is Usman Khwaja with 2564. The England batter has notched up 17 centuries in this period, while the next best is Kane Williamson with nine centuries. Kohli, meanwhile, has recorded only two test centuries and Smith has hit six tons in this timeframe.

“Numbers will tell you it’s Joe Root, but my heart…” Dinesh Karthik

Karthik has given his pick between Root and Kohli. Recently, on a show with Cricbuzz, a fan asked Karthik to opine on who he feels is the better test batsman among the two greats.

While the former stumper acknowledged that Root’s recent numbers are better than Kohli’s, he still chose the Indian legend.

Karthik said, “Numbers will tell you it’s Joe Root, but my heart, the fact that he is someone I’ve seen playing in close quarters for the longest time now, over a decade…I know how he loves playing those big moments and big series. And if somebody asks him questions, he will come to you so strongly that you will be thinking, ‘Wow, why did I even ask that question.’ If I were given a question of who would bat for my life, it would be Kohli. No doubt.”

#Root vs #Kohli: Who reigns supreme in Tests? 💪 @DineshKarthik picks his choice, on #heyCB! 👑 pic.twitter.com/GmNHJrU7qe

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) September 7, 2024

Kohli will next be in action in the test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19.

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