Joe Root vs Virat Kohli: Complete statistical analysis

Against Pace and Spin

PLAYER	TEST DIS PACE / SPIN	ODI DIS PACE / SPIN	T20I DIS PACE / SPIN
KOHLI	46 / 22	89 / 40	18 / 7
ROOT	52 / 15	38 / 21	7 / 6

• Kohli being from the subcontinent is generally good against spin and till earlier this year had only being dismissed 22 times by spin, while losing his wicket in Tests 45 times to pacers. Though he had scored more runs against pacers, he had a better average against spin. Root’s Test career follows a similar pattern as that of Kohli when it comes to playing pace vs spin. Even in ODIs the pattern continues and the players have both been dismissed more times by pacers than would be satisfactory to either of them.

• Kohli’s average against pace is lower than Root’s especially due to the poor series in England in 2014. Even in the last home series against South Africa, where the track was conducive for spin, Kohli got out to pacers more often. But, he has played the tricky and bouncy pitches of Australia and South Africa with remarkable ease.

• While Root has really established himself as being able to play in all conditions, it is Kohli who has broken the stereotype of Indians as poor travelers and moulded himself into a fearful and prolific batsman, even overseas, that have made India better competitors in away matches in recent times.

• Though Indians are generally considered good against spin, presently Joe Root is being hailed as best player of spin in the world. At Nagpur, on his debut, Root had scored 73 on a turner and faced a four-pronged Indian spin attack. On quicker tracks in countries such as Australia, New

• At Nagpur, on his debut, Root had scored 73 on a turner and faced a four-pronged Indian spin attack. On quicker tracks in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, both Kohli and Root have shown their class but Kohli has struggled in England whereas Root has faced difficulties while in Australia. Root’s excellent record against spinners is mainly due to the fact he played most of his Tests at home where spinners find it tough.

England batsman Joe Root leaves the field unbeaten on 154 against India

Major tournaments

PLAYER	WORLD CUPINNGS - RUNS (AVG)	ICC CHAMPIONSTROPHYINNINGS - RUNS (AVG)	2016 WORLD T20RUNS (SR)
KOHLI	17 - 587 (41.92)	7 - 271 (67.75)	273 (146.77)
ROOT	5 – 202 (40.40)	5 – 173 (34.60)	249 (146.47)

Kohli captained India U-19s to victory at the 2008 U-19 WC and was part of the squad that won the 2011 WC. He has played 17 WC matches with an impressive average of 41.92. Kohli has also performed brilliantly in the Asia Cup where he scored his highest ODI score of 183, and the Aus tri-series in 2012.

However what surpasses these figures is his brilliant contribution to the team in the ICC Champions Trophy where he averages 67.75 without any century in his kitty. In Tests he has stood up against the mighty Australians in the famous Border-Gavaskar trophy and scored 6 centuries with an enviable average of 60.76.

He has also played in the Asia Cup T20 and this year he again showed how he was making World T20 his own, with impressive performances throughout the tournament where India’s leading batsman amassed 273 runs at an average of 136.50 in five innings.

On the other hand, Root has not really been outstanding at major tournaments but impressive enough in both the 2015 WC and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. However he has performed well at The Ashes, having scored 3 centuries and an average of 89.50 in The Wisden Trophy with a highest score of 182*. He also caught the eye in the 2016 World T20 where he scored two 50s and finished with an average almost touching 50.