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'Numbers Say Root, But Heart...' - Karthik Picks Virat Kohli As Best Modern Test Batsman

Dinesh Karthik sparks Virat Kohli Vs Joe Root debate (X.com)Dinesh Karthik sparks Virat Kohli Vs Joe Root debate (X.com)

Dinesh Karthik, former Indian wicket-keeper turned cricket commentator, recently sparked a lively debate by naming Virat Kohli as the best modern-day Test batter, despite acknowledging that statistics might favour England's Joe Root. He admitted that his choice was based on personal bias.

Joe Root and Virat Kohli are both active members of the 'Fab 4' debate, which means the four best batters of the present generation. However, recently, Root has surpassed his peers in the Test format.

He recently beat Alastair Cook to become England's leading run-scorer in red-ball cricket and is also now the 6th highest run-getter in Test with 12,402 runs across 146 games.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli, who has 80 international centuries to his name, has seen a decline in red-ball cricket. He has scored 8846 runs across 113 Tests with a 49.16 average. 

DK's opinion on Kohli vs Root debate!

Despite the clear gap in the stats, Dinesh Karthik picked Virat Kohli over Joe Root as the modern-day great Test batter.

Karthik explained that while statistics favour Root, Kohli's ability to score under pressure moments and against tough opponents stands out for him. 

"Numbers will tell you it's Joe Root, but my heart, the fact that he (Kohli) 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," Karthik said on Cricbuzz.

Also, since Karthik has played with Kohli for several years, personal bias was also a big factor contributing to his decision.

However, if Dinesh is given a chance to pick someone to bat for his life, the former wicket-keeper will blindly trust Virat Kohli over any top batter whatsoever, let alone Joe Root.

"If I were given a question of who would bat for my life, it would be Kohli. No doubt," he added.

Virat Kohli To Resume Action In Red Ball Cricket

Meanwhile, to prove himself again in Test format, Virat Kohli is set to feature in the upcoming two-game Test series against Bangladesh. In a 16-member squad released last weekend, Kohli and Rohit Sharma will return to action after a prolonged break.

However, Shreyas Iyer, who scored a fifty in the Duleep Trophy first round, was blatantly ignored. Instead, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Sarfaraz Khan have retained their places in the Test squad. Also, Yash Dayal is being handed his maiden Test call-up.