Gilchrist's 'Kohli scored one of the best tons' remark sparks 'Joe Root' counter response from Vaughan in fiery battle
Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan picked Virat Kohli over Joe Root in T20 and ODIs, but were left at loggerheads when deciding to pick the better Test batter.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan, earlier last week, had sparked a debate on social media comparing Joe Root and Virat Kohli, shortly after the England batter scored his 34th century in the format in the ongoing series against Sri Lanka. The knock not only helped him surpass Alastair Cook for the most centuries in Tests by an England batter, but left him within touching distance of India legend Sachin Tendulkar's all-time run tally in the format. Despite Root's recent run-scoring spree, former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist picked Kohli in the debate.
Root's twin tons at the Lord's helped England seal the three-match series against Sri Lanka with the game in hand. It also left him two clear of Kane Williamson and Steve Smith for most centuries among the Fab Four, with Kohli at 29. Moreover, the knocks left him just 96 runs short of going past Cook for the most-ever runs in Test cricket by an England batter and 3544 runs away from Sachin's historic feat.
In the wake of the 'Kohli versus Root' debate and the England-Sri Lanka series, Gilchrist, speaking on a podcast on Club Prairie Fire, was asked to pick between the two modern-era greats. The Aussie legend, along with Vaughan, picked Kohli over Root in T20I cricket and ODIs, but were left at loggerheads when deciding to pick the better Test batter.
Vaughan sided with Root, with Gilchrist replying, "In the last short while, definitely". He then continued to add: "Over a long period of time Joe Root's stats are…, well he's the best England ever had," and Vaughan couldn't agree more.
However, when asked by the anchor to pick between Kohli and Root versus Australia in Australia, Gilchrist pointed out that the former England captain has yet to score a ton Down Under, to which Vaughan replied, "but he will".
Gilchrist then recalled Kohli's 123 in Perth during the 2018/19 series in Australia. And although it came in a losing cause, the Aussie hailed it as one of the best centuries by the Indian. "Virat scored one of the best tons I've seen at the Perth stadium in the first Test match ever played there, that was probably different gravy. I'd probably say Virat."
Vaughan agreed with Gilchrist, but reckoned that he would still pick Root had it been for any other venue. "I wouldn't argue with that in Australia. I would say Virat in Australia against the Aussies, anywhere else I'm going Joe Root."
Joe Root vs Virat Kohli
Root is currently the sixth-highest run-getter in Test cricket history with 12377 runs in 145 appearances for England, at 50.93 with 34 tons and 64 half-centuries. With Root named for the third Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval, he is likely to not only surpass Kumar Sangakkara to make the elusive top five, but also could pip Cook to become England's most prolific batter in history.
Kohli, on the other hand, stands 19th in the all-time list with 8848 runs in 113 appearances for India, laced with 29 tons and 30 fifties. With India slated to play 10 Tests matches this year, he could emerge to become the third Indian batter after Sachin, Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar to amass 10000 runs in the format.
