In a recent interview, former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik chose Virat Kohli over Joe Root as the best Test batter of the current generation. While Root’s statistics might place him ahead, Karthik’s preference stems from his close association with Kohli and his confidence in the latter’s performance under pressure.
Karthik shared his views on Cricbuzz, acknowledging Root’s impressive numbers but highlighting his personal bias towards Kohli due to their long-standing relationship. He emphasized Kohli’s knack for delivering in crucial moments and big series. “Numbers will tell you it’s Joe Root, but my heart, the fact that he (Kohli) is someone that I’ve seen play in close quarters for the longest time now, over a decade. I know how he loves playing those big moments, big series. And if somebody asks him questions, he will come back to you with answers so strong that you will be like, ‘Wow, why did I even ask that question?’,” Karthik explained.
Root, currently in phenomenal form, recently surpassed Alastair Cook to become England’s leading century-maker in Test cricket with 34 centuries. He boasts an impressive record of 12,377 runs from 145 Tests at an average of 50.93, placing him ahead of his contemporaries in the “Fab 4” – Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Kohli.
On the other hand, Virat Kohli has faced a recent dip in form, with his last century recorded in July 2023 against the West Indies. Despite this, Karthik’s admiration for Kohli remains rooted in Kohli’s ability to perform when it matters most.
“If I were given a choice of who would bat for my life, it would be Kohli. No doubt,” Karthik added, emphasizing Kohli’s dependability under pressure.
Kohli has scored 8,848 runs from 113 Tests and has made 29 centuries. He is renowned for his aggressive style and leadership in crucial matches. Despite the recent challenges, Karthik’s support reflects a widespread belief in Kohli’s ability to win matches.
