Joe Root far ahead of Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson: Former India selector Saba Karim

England's prolific batter Joe Root has been churning out runs like nobody's business ever since 2020. Root, who had an abysmal run as England captain during this period, scored 2,416 runs at an average of 53.68, which included nine centuries and two double tons.

He is the only batter amongst the so-called Fab Four, including Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson, to have hit a purple patch since the pandemic era, while all the others have struggled to get going.

Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim has placed Root above these esteemed gentlemen.

"Joe Root has left the other three batters far behind in the last two years. Whether we talk about consistency, technique or temperament, in all these aspects, Joe Root is above everyone at the moment," Karim told India News Sports.

The former men's senior selection committee chairman spoke at length on what differentiated Root and why he is so far ahead at the moment.

"He has gone far ahead. If we see England's batting, only Joe Root's name is coming up again and again. It means Joe Root has not got support from the other end.

If we talk about India, with Virat Kohli, there is always support like KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant, among others. That is the situation in New Zealand and Australia too. Even in overseas conditions like in India or in Sri Lanka, Root has singlehandedly won England matches," the former India selector explained.

Root, who became the second England batter after Sir Alastair Cook to notch up 10,000 Test runs, scored his 26th Test hundred last week to help Ben Stokes-led England go 1-0 up in the Test series against ICC Test Champions New Zealand at Lord's.

Karim lauded the right-hander's efforts that came during the first Test's fourth innings.

"It's never easy to score a ton in the fourth innings. That too against such a team which has got a strong bowling attack. Trent boult, Kyle Jamieson, Colin de Grandhomme...New Zealand have so many good bowlers. If somebody is batting well in the fourth innings, it shows that the guy is strong both technically and mentally," the 54-year-old concluded.