Joe Root vs Virat Kohli
Full head-to-head breakdown across Test, ODI, T20I & IPL — batting, bowling and career records
Joe Root vs Virat Kohli: Why the Stats Make This a One-Sided Comparison
Virat Kohli leads this head-to-head 5–15 across batting categories, pulling ahead convincingly — with the strongest edge coming in ODIs, where Virat Kohli averages 58.59 compared to Joe Root's 51.15.
In ODI cricket, Virat Kohli leads with an average of 58.59 versus Joe Root's 51.15 — a meaningful difference of 7.44 runs per dismissal. Virat Kohli leads on total ODI runs (14,941 vs 7,826). Virat Kohli's 54 ODI centuries to Joe Root's 20 shows a greater ability to cash in on big starts.
In T20 Internationals, Virat Kohli holds the edge — averaging 48.7 at a strike rate of 137.05, while Joe Root averages 35.72 at SR 126.31. In the IPL, Virat Kohli leads with 9,336 runs versus 10 — a gap that reflects both opportunity and impact in franchise cricket.
Both players contribute with the ball. Joe Root leads on international wickets (110 vs 9 across formats), and their all-round contributions add meaningful value beyond batting averages alone.
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Overall Profile — TEST
Key Stats — TEST
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The Verdict
Virat Kohli takes this comparison 5–15 across batting categories. The ODI average gap — 58.59 versus 51.15 — is the headline number separating the two players.
Frequently Asked — Joe Root vs Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli leads 5–15 across the batting categories included in this comparison. Virat Kohli leads in more batting categories overall, while Joe Root holds advantages in some individual metrics.
Virat Kohli holds the edge in ODI batting average, averaging 58.59 with 14941 runs, compared to Joe Root's average of 51.15 and 7826 runs. Virat Kohli has also scored more ODI centuries (54 vs 20).
In Test cricket, Joe Root averages 50.64 versus Virat Kohli's 46.85 — a meaningful difference of 3.79 runs per dismissal. Joe Root has accumulated 14,180 Test runs including 41 centuries.
In T20Is, Virat Kohli averages 48.7 at a strike rate of 137.05, while Joe Root averages 35.72 at a strike rate of 126.31. Virat Kohli has the higher strike rate (137.05 vs 126.31).
Virat Kohli leads in IPL run-scoring with 9,336 runs at a strike rate of 134.8, compared to Joe Root's 10 runs. Virat Kohli also leads in IPL sixes (316 vs 0), reflecting a more aggressive approach in franchise cricket.
Both players have contributed with the ball. Joe Root has taken 110 international wickets compared to Virat Kohli's 9. Virat Kohli has the lower white-ball economy rate (7.105 vs 7.92).
Both Joe Root and Virat Kohli achieve their highest batting averages in ODIs. Joe Root averages 51.15 compared to Virat Kohli's 58.59 in that format.
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