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Virat Kohli finished his Test career with 9230 runs in 123 matches, whereas Root has 13,006 runs to his name in 153 Tests played so far for England.
Former England spinner Monty Panesar picks Virat Kohli as better batter than Joe Root. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Former England spinner Monty Panesar, who played a big role in England’s 2-1 series win over India in the four-match series played in 2012, has picked Virat Kohli as a better batter than Joe Root. According to Panesar, who dismissed 17 Indian batters in three Tests for the Alastair Cook-led side in the four-match series played in 2012 in which Root also made his Test debut, Kohli is better than his countryman because of what he brings to the table.
Kohli, who is India’s most successful captain in Test cricket, announced his retirement from the five-day format of the game on May 12, 2025. Before calling time on his Test career, Kohli played 123 matches and, with the help of 30 centuries and 31 fifties, scored 9230 runs. On the other hand, Root has 13,006 runs to his name in 153 matches played so far.
The right-handed batter from Yorkshire tops the ICC Test rankings for batters and has been in red-hot form in the last five years.
But during an interview with InsideSport, when Panesar was asked to pick the better batter between Kohli and Root, he mentioned the former’s name and revealed the reason as well.
According to Panesar, “I would say Kohli. I think Kohli is a better batsman. Just the fact that what he brings to the table as his character and his aura. I think because of that I would go Virat Kohli.”
Panesar was also asked who between Shubman Gill and Harry Brook will have a brighter future in Test cricket, and in reply, he said, “Shubman Gill. Gill has a better future in Test cricket, and I really hope his numbers get better once he is appointed the captain of Team India.”
When asked to make his pick for the better bowler between James Anderson and Jasprit Bumrah in Test cricket, Panesar picked Anderson.
“Anderson, in my opinion. I think the way he’s done it in all conditions—I think he’s a better bowler.”
Anderson, who is England’s most successful bowler in international cricket, finished his career last year with 704 wickets in 188 matches. On the other hand, Bumrah has 205 wickets to his name in 45 matches played so far.
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