Legendary Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has picked Virat Kohli over Joe Root for Test matches in Australian conditions. Gilchrist feels that Kohli’s brilliant hundred at Perth during the 2018-19 Test series in Australia puts him ahead of Root.
Virat Kohli has scored six hundreds in Australia and has a tremendous record in the country.
His first hundred in Test matches also came in Australia (Adelaide) during the 2011–12 Test series in Australia. Since then, Australia has been one of his favourite run-scoring countries.
On the other hand, England great Joe Root is yet to score a hundred in Australia despite having toured the country for the Ashes series several times.
Remarkably, a batsman of Joe Root’s calibre, who has scored over 12,000 runs in Test cricket, is yet to score a century in Australia.
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Adam Gilchrist chooses between Virat Kohli and Joe Root
While speaking at Club Prairie Fire, Adam Gilchrist had to choose between Virat Kohli and Joe Root.
Kohli is miles ahead of Root in white-ball cricket and Gilchrist was quick to accept this fact. However, when it came to choosing the Test format, the former Australian cricketer was forced to think a little more.
“They are exceptional numbers, particularly for Joe Root. I’m looking at Virat’s (Kohli) numbers here in front of me and they are extraordinary. I mean, you’re thinking about players like Chappell and Ponting from an Australian point of view. The 50-point mark is always the benchmark of greatness, isn’t it?” Gilchrist said.
But if you combine Virat’s numbers with his ODI numbers, in particular, and his T20I career, it’s simply fascinating.
Asked to choose between the two in the T20Is, Gilchrist picked Kohli. “Yes, I will pick him (Virat Kohli),” he said. The 52-year-old also picked Kohli for the ODI format.
Who would you prefer, Joe Root 🏴 or Virat Kohli 🇮🇳?
The boys debate who they would choose in each format 🏏 in different countries 🇦🇺 and you might be surprised 😮
Link 🔗 to watch the full episode 📺 now – https://t.co/wAgUAj0XsT#ClubPrairieFire image.twitter.com/MH5aMD0dVJ
— Prairie Fire Club (@clubprairiefire) September 4, 2024
Adam Gilchrist rates Virat Kohli better than Joe Root in Australian conditions
Asked if Root is ahead of Kohli in Tests, Afam Gilchrist said: “In the last few years. Over a long period, Joe Root is the best England have had.”
The legendary wicketkeeper was also asked to choose between Virat Kohli and Joe Root in Australian conditions (particularly in Perth). Since Root is without a hundred in Australia and Kohli has scored six in the country so far, Gilchrist picked Kohli.
“I don’t think Joe has scored a hundred goals here (in Australia). Virat scored one of the best goals I have seen at the Perth Stadium in the first Test match played there. It was a different kind. I would probably say Virat,” he added.
Virat Kohli has a great record against Australia, which makes him a very important batsman for India against them. Kohli will be in action in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year, where Australia will host India for a five-match Test series.
The series is highly anticipated as India have beaten Australia in the last four Test series between the two nations. The Men in Blue have registered historic Test series wins in Australia on the last two occasions.
