Virat Kohli vs Joe Root 'GOAT' debate settled as Ex-England captains drop bombshell verdicts

Former England captains David Lloyd, Michael Vaughan, and Alastair Cook participated in a lively discussion comparing two modern-day greats, Virat Kohli and Joe Root. They engaged in debate to judge Kohli and Root across five crucial parameters, including consistency across all three formats of the game.

Virat Kohli recently announced his retirement from Test cricket ahead of the much-awaited five-match series against England, led by Ben Stokes. Kohli and Joe Root have long been the batting mainstays for their countries, drawing frequent comparisons from fans and cricket experts around the world.

Virat Kohli Picked as Best Run-Scorer Across Formats

On The Overlap and Betfair’s Stick to Cricket show, Michael Vaughan, Alastair Cook, David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd, and Phil ‘Tuffers’ Tufnell engaged in a discussion comparing Virat Kohli and Joe Root.

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When it came to run-scoring across formats, Kohli was the unanimous choice. Vaughan described him as a “supreme run machine” who performed in all three formats.

Alastair Cook pointed out Kohli’s remarkable consistency and adaptability, especially in white-ball cricket, where his volume of centuries and runs has been extraordinary.

Virat Kohli Picked Over Joe Root in Big-Match Moments and Captaincy

Virat Kohli was the clear winner when it came to performing in high-pressure games. Alastair Cook praised his exceptional record in white-ball chases, calling it “phenomenal.”

Michael Vaughan said that Kohli is the best chaser in limited-overs history. Both agreed that his ability to consistently deliver when the stakes are high makes him stand out.

Kohli also received unanimous approval for his leadership. Cook said that Kohli redefined India’s Test cricket culture by bringing aggression, belief, and a fearless mindset, particularly on overseas tours.

Vaughan added that Kohli’s departure left a leadership void in the Indian setup. With 40 wins in 68 matches, Kohli remains India’s most successful Test captain.

Joe Root Named Most Consistent Performer in Test Cricket

Joe Root was picked as the most consistent performer, especially in Test cricket. Vaughan and Cook praised his ability to score runs across all conditions. Cook described Root as the backbone of England’s red-ball batting lineup.

Vaughan noted that Root, with his calm demeanor and flawless technique, often performed even when his teammates struggled. Root recently became the fastest to reach 13,000 Test runs in 153 matches. He is behind Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting among the all-time Test run-scorers.

When it came to handling pressure, the panel unanimously chose Virat Kohli. Cook spoke about the relentless scrutiny Kohli faces in India, both on and off the field. He acknowledged that the constant public and media attention would be overwhelming for most, adding that he personally couldn’t imagine living under such pressure.

When asked to pick the best batter across all formats at their absolute peak, Cook immediately named Kohli. However, when the focus shifted specifically to the best Test batter, both Cook and Vaughan agreed that Joe Root deserved that honor.

David Lloyd and Alastair Cook’s picks between Virat Kohli and Joe Root:

•Run scoring: Virat Kohli
•Consistency: Joe Root
•Big match moments: Virat Kohli
•Handling pressure: Virat Kohli
•Captaincy: Virat Kohli pic.twitter.com/wuqMydPVPw

— Gaurav (@Melbourne__82) June 21, 2025

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