Here’s why Joe Root is a better Test batsman than Virat Kohli

India-England Test series has revived the old rivalry between these two cricket playing countries. While both the teams are looking to get the better of the other, there’s an individual battle going on that has become the centre of attention. Two of the greatest batsmen in the modern era – Joe Root and Virat Kohli, are playing their 50th Test match today and it is hard to make a call who is better among the two.

Virat Kohli made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies. He just added 4 runs in the first innings and 15 in the second. Kohli struck his first half-century in his sixth innings against the same opposition. On the other hand, Joe Root had a dream debut against the Indians. In his first innings itself, he scored 73 and remained not out for 20 in the second. Before their landmark Test at Visakhapatnam, Root has a better average than Kohli in the 49 Tests that both have played.

In 90 innings, Root averages 53.55 with 4231 runs to his name. Root has remained not out on 11 instances that has helped him achieve a healthier average. So far, Root has 11 centuries and 23 half-centuries to his name. Kohli has played 84 innings and scored 3643 at an average of 46.11. He has 13 centuries and 12 half-centuries against his name and has been not out on five occasions. Both Kohli and Root made their highest score in Tests this year. Kohli scored 211 against New Zealand while Root made 254 against Pakistan.

While career statistics show that Root has been a better batsman than Kohli so far, Kohli has put up impressive performances this year. In 2016, Kohli has scored 649 runs in 12 innings at a solid average of 59. Whereas Root’s average has dipped this year. He has scored 114 runs in 24 innings at an average of 50.63. With few more Tests to go before the year ends, can Kohli catch up with Root?