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The cricketing world was treated to an engaging discussion recently as two greats of the game, Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan, shared their thoughts on who stands taller between Virat Kohli and Joe Root. While both players have established themselves as premier batsmen of the modern era, the debate revealed some fascinating insights into their strengths across formats and conditions.
During an episode of Club Prairie Fire, Gilchrist and Vaughan explored this rivalry, particularly focusing on the unique challenges each faces in different formats. For T20 cricket, the consensus was clear—Kohli reigns supreme. Both Gilchrist and Vaughan pointed out Kohli’s unparalleled consistency in T20s, making him the natural choice for this format. His adaptability and ability to chase totals in white-ball cricket further cement his status as one of the finest short-format players.
Similarly, Kohli also found favor in the ODI debate. Gilchrist, quick to agree with Vaughan, emphasized Kohli’s exceptional statistics in the 50-over format, further demonstrating why he’s often regarded as one of the greatest limited-overs players of all time.
However, when the conversation shifted to Test cricket, the debate heated up. Vaughan leaned towards Joe Root, particularly pointing to Root’s recent stellar performances, including surpassing Sir Alastair Cook’s record for the most Test hundreds for England. Root’s consistency in the longest format of the game, as well as his solid technique, makes him one of the most reliable Test batsmen. In fact, Root’s ability to thrive in diverse conditions around the world has often set him apart.
Yet, Gilchrist raised a significant point when it came to performances in Australia. Root, despite his prolific Test career, has never scored a century on Australian soil—a glaring gap in his resume, especially considering how tough the conditions are Down Under. In contrast, Kohli has not only performed well in Australia but has played some of his most memorable innings there, including a century in Perth, which Gilchrist described as “one of the best tons I’ve ever seen”.
Ultimately, Gilchrist conceded that while Root might have the edge over Kohli in recent Test matches, Kohli’s ability to deliver in Australia—and against Australia—sets him apart. Vaughan, in turn, agreed that Kohli’s record in Australia was exceptional but maintained that Root’s overall Test numbers make him the more dependable batter in other parts of the world.
As the cricketing world prepares for future clashes between India and Australia, the Kohli-Root debate is sure to continue. With both players still active and capable of adding to their legacies, fans can look forward to more thrilling performances from these two modern giants.