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Virat Kohli vs Kane Williamson vs Joe Root vs Steven Smith: Who would you pick in your team?

Root. Consistent over all three formats and is an unstoppable player once he's in.
 
I follow RCB scores on cricinfo and ABD keeps outshining Kohli.

A microcosm showing that the established guard of great batsmen - Amla, AB, Younis and Cook - are a level ahead of the new prodigies on the scene; Kane, Root, Smith and Kohli. This is only true for the test format, in ODIS, only the South Africans are ahead.

Kohli is better than amla in LOI, tests amla is ahead.
 
Your assessment would be true even if he outshone ABD in every format :wink

But I agree, ABD is ahead, Kohli will reach there. Best part is Kohli will be more consistent than ABD as his cricket is more risk free

It's good though that you accept that de Villiers is the better batsman.

Kohli is better than amla in LOI, tests amla is ahead.

I don't like grouping formats together and in my opinion, Amla had been ahead of Kohli, in ODIs too. In tests, there is no comparison between the two.
 
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Tests/ODIs combo is most important for me therefore, Williamson.

If I were to consider Tests/ODIs/T20Is, then probably Root.

Tests: 1. Williamson 2. Smith/Root 3. Kohli

ODIs: 1. Kohli/Williamson 2. Root/Smith (Note: ABDV is better than all of them in ODIs)

T20Is: 1. Kohli 2. Root 3. Williamson/Smith

Note: I am not just basing this on their overall stats up till this point but rather looking at their stats based on when they started performing at the highest level.

I could have also put Smith at 1 in Tests, however, I find it unlikely that he can maintain such unbelievable stats given his inferior technique.
 
South Africans are better in tests because there is no ICC championship for Tests(And there will never be). As soon as there is a championship , South Africans just surrender :22: .
They have to go a long way in terms of mental toughness.
 
We haven't seen the best of Kohli yet in Tests, I feel he will finish the best of the lot and by a big distance.

He's the only one of the 4 who screams superstar when he bats.
 
It's good though that you accept that de Villiers is the better batsman.



I don't like grouping formats together and in my opinion, Amla had been ahead of Kohli, in ODIs too. In tests, there is no comparison between the two.
Saying it over and over again isn't going to make it true.

If you truly do believe it, I suggest you create a thread and see for yourself what the majority think.

Kohli is a top 4 all time ODI bat now and will probably finish the best ever by the time his career is over.

I know we should respect one another's opinions, but this simply reeks of bias.
 
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It's good though that you accept that de Villiers is the better batsman.



I don't like grouping formats together and in my opinion, Amla had been ahead of Kohli, in ODIs too. In tests, there is no comparison between the two.

Looool in LOI kohli is ahead of amla, when the field is back amla slows down whilst kohli is able to find the gaps nd not to mention kohlis ability to handle pressure better than amla. Yes amla is ahead in tests but kohli has more than enough time to surpass amla.
 
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We haven't seen the best of Kohli yet in Tests, I feel he will finish the best of the lot and by a big distance.

He's the only one of the 4 who screams superstar when he bats.

I'll wait before making judgements in Tests. Kohli hasn't demonstrated his temperament for scoring mammoth scores in Tests till now although he scores hundreds regularly. But as far as LOIs are concerned, he seems to be in a league of his own. Whether it's technique or shot placement or playing under pressure or class, he seems to be the complete package. He has managed to crack the LOI game like no one has, minimizing risks in his game as much as possible and playing percentage shots, while having the ability to go through gears if needed too. He builds his innings with minimum risks till he gets to 50 or 60 and then starts to ramp up his innings finishing it at a great strike rate in the end. He is almost becoming the batting equivalent of McGrath in LOIs, who was a metronome of a bowler with minimum forced or unforced errors in his bowling. Like Alan Wilkins said, Kohli appears to have a gps system regarding the position of each fielder in his mind just like McGrath seemed to have a computer generated pitch map in his brain.

Though I have to disagree with the 2nd part of your post. I think Root will be his prime competitor in all formats in the future. He has class, great consistency in the longer format, and has improved his LOI game in a huge manner. I'm a huge fan of both Smith and Williamson in Tests but I'm just not convinced that Smith can be the best player in all formats due to his unorthodox technique. Both Smith and Williamson don't seem to have the ability to match the former two in T20Is. Williamson is extremely good in Tests but looks like an improved version of Rahane in T20s. Although these two can surprise us too. In any case, it's brilliant to have these four young blessed batsmen playing at the same time in cricket. It's almost like when we had 4 ATG all rounders playing at the same time in 80s in Imran, Hadlee, Kapil and Botham.
 
I'll wait before making judgements in Tests. Kohli hasn't demonstrated his temperament for scoring mammoth scores in Tests till now although he scores hundreds regularly. But as far as LOIs are concerned, he seems to be in a league of his own. Whether it's technique or shot placement or playing under pressure or class, he seems to be the complete package. He has managed to crack the LOI game like no one has, minimizing risks in his game as much as possible and playing percentage shots, while having the ability to go through gears if needed too. He builds his innings with minimum risks till he gets to 50 or 60 and then starts to ramp up his innings finishing it at a great strike rate in the end. He is almost becoming the batting equivalent of McGrath in LOIs, who was a metronome of a bowler with minimum forced or unforced errors in his bowling. Like Alan Wilkins said, Kohli appears to have a gps system regarding the position of each fielder in his mind just like McGrath seemed to have a computer generated pitch map in his brain.

Though I have to disagree with the 2nd part of your post. I think Root will be his prime competitor in all formats in the future. He has class, great consistency in the longer format, and has improved his LOI game in a huge manner. I'm a huge fan of both Smith and Williamson in Tests but I'm just not convinced that Smith can be the best player in all formats due to his unorthodox technique. Both Smith and Williamson don't seem to have the ability to match the former two in T20Is. Williamson is extremely good in Tests but looks like an improved version of Rahane in T20s. Although these two can surprise us too. In any case, it's brilliant to have these four young blessed batsmen playing at the same time in cricket. It's almost like when we had 4 ATG all rounders playing at the same time in 80s in Imran, Hadlee, Kapil and Botham.

Everyone says smith technique will get found out, I understand why they say that but technique is not always about having textbook techniques. It's about having a technique which u are comfertable with and that allows u to score runs. This is what smith technique allows him to do.
 
Everyone says smith technique will get found out, I understand why they say that but technique is not always about having textbook techniques. It's about having a technique which u are comfertable with and that allows u to score runs. This is what smith technique allows him to do.

No, I'm not saying his technique will get found out. He has managed to work out whatever technique comes best to him and there have been players in history who didn't necessarily have the textbook technique but still went on to succeed like Graeme Smith, Steve Waugh, etc. Like I said, I admire his consistency greatly and I rate him as the best test batsman in the world at the moment. I just don't think he will be the best player in the world across all the formats (including ODIs and T20s) while I feel Root and Kohli have the ability to do so.
 
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No, I'm not saying his technique will get found out. He has managed to work out whatever technique comes best to him and there have been players in history who didn't necessarily have the textbook technique but still went on to succeed like Graeme Smith, Steve Waugh, etc. Like I said, I admire his consistency greatly and I rate him as the best test batsman in the world at the moment. I just don't think he will be the best player in the world across all the formats (including ODIs and T20s) while I feel Root and Kohli have the ability to do so.

He can be the best in Odis and tests but not in t20s I think.
 
Kohli is in leagues of his own in LOIs. No doubts on that. In tests, all four have a long way to go. They will have their ups and downs and the opinions may keep varying from one to another as they have to face different challenges and cope with them.As of now, its Smith simply because his numbers are insane and has great numbers almost everywhere.
 
This IPL Kohli is highest run-getter with a good margin above second placed.
So at this moment , Kohli is performing better than ABDV and Kane(who is not even in same zipcode based on IPL performances).

Off course , this can change with another series/tournament.
 
all mentioned players still got LONG way to go and need to prove alot of things.

Kohli to improve avg of 13 in England
to improve avg of 15 in West Indies
which is he quite capable of

Kane :
Avg of 30 in England
avg of 36 in India
Avg of 10 in SA (2 tests though)

Smith :
Avg of 34 in UAE
Yet to Play a bit more In India

Root :
Avg of 27 in Australia
Yet to play more in india
avg of 17 in New Zealand
I think he is Yet to Play in Sri Lanka
 
Williamson is a fine player but he is becoming Amla II in Limited Overs.

Great stats but little substance. Doesn't impact the outcome of the match much and bottles under pressure. These days, if Guptill doesn't fire, NZ generally lose. He is their MVP in Limited Overs.

Smith has a brilliant Test record, but I think overall, he is an inferior batsman to Kohli and Root, who are the top 2 in my view. I personally like Root more.

Mathews deserves to be mentioned alongside these names as well. He is a fantastic batsman who is only entering his peak years now.

As far as de Kock is concerned, he's going to reach this level as well. Only a matter of time before he fires regularly in Tests.
 
MashaAllah Kane Williamson now has Entered the 50 Runs Averaging Club.

Averages 50.48 now with 14 Test Hundreds in 49 Test Matches.


Quality Batsman.
 
10 centuries now Away from Home by Williamson at an Average of almost 48.

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All four in the line up would be amazing.

3. Williamson
4. Root
5. Kohli
6. Smith

That's scary.
 
all mentioned players still got LONG way to go and need to prove alot of things.

Kohli to improve avg of 13 in England
to improve avg of 15 in West Indies
which is he quite capable of

Kane :
Avg of 30 in England
avg of 36 in India
Avg of 10 in SA (2 tests though)

Smith :
Avg of 34 in UAE
Yet to Play a bit more In India

Root :
Avg of 27 in Australia
Yet to play more in india
avg of 17 in New Zealand
I think he is Yet to Play in Sri Lanka

Kohli averages 45 in WI now.
 
Kane Williamson is the best test batsman from the new generation. He is actually the real technique and not that fake technique Shafiq.
 
A couple of the other might be more dominant at times. However In all conditions against all types of bowlers i would have Williamson any day.
 
And Smith is the most overrated from this lot. He is as big a FTB as Warner.

Smith is not as good as Root or Williamson, but he's a world class batsman nonetheless and far from a FTB.

Agree on Warner.
 
In tests it's Root then a tie between Williamson and Kohli. Smith is fourth.

In LOIs Kohli is without a doubt the best.
 
Disagree with most of you.

In tests, I would still put Kohli behind Smith. Very small margin between all 4 though. And a couple of good series could change the ranking.

It's
Root
Williamson
Smith
Kohli


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Out of the four we are talking about 3 are the Nos 1,2 and 3 in ICC ranking and the 4th(Kohli) is not even in the top 10.

It's been a while since we have had anyone on the best batsmen listings.

It looks like Kohli may just have turned the corner on his test career but will really have to wait till he gets back to where he first lost the shine in order to judge where he stands. That is way off in the future though. Meanwhile, the ICC ranking isn't bad, though I might put Root ahead of Smith at the moment.
 
Out of the four we are talking about 3 are the Nos 1,2 and 3 in ICC ranking and the 4th(Kohli) is not even in the top 10.

It's been a while since we have had anyone on the best batsmen listings.

It looks like Kohli may just have turned the corner on his test career but will really have to wait till he gets back to where he first lost the shine in order to judge where he stands. That is way off in the future though. Meanwhile, the ICC ranking isn't bad, though I might put Root ahead of Smith at the moment.

Captaincy has done wonders for him. He is confident/mature and Insha'Allah will score 10k+ for India in tests.

Although Root is the best bat in test cricket. Kohli, being a fighter he is, might take over him some day tho.
 
If Kohli, Root and Smith not fall off drastically they will all cross 10k cause they play a lot of big test match series (4/5 match series). Cook for example is the only non 50 averaging batsman in the 10k club.

KW too should make it.
 
Out of the four we are talking about 3 are the Nos 1,2 and 3 in ICC ranking and the 4th(Kohli) is not even in the top 10.

It's been a while since we have had anyone on the best batsmen listings.

It looks like Kohli may just have turned the corner on his test career but will really have to wait till he gets back to where he first lost the shine in order to judge where he stands. That is way off in the future though. Meanwhile, the ICC ranking isn't bad, though I might put Root ahead of Smith at the moment.

Kohli/Rahane are on 13/11. If they have a few more good innings in this series they should enter it.
 
Smith is not as good as Root or Williamson, but he's a world class batsman nonetheless and far from a FTB.

Agree on Warner.

Failed in the UAE and failed in Sri Lanka too. Smith has always scored when the track is flat and someone else has also scored big from Australia.

There is nothing much to separate Smith and Warner. Both are mediocre on tracks with any assistance for bowlers. However, on bouncy or flat tracks they will the most destructive batsmen in the world.
 
Virat kohli. It's not even close.

Root and Kane are several levels above Kohli in tests and that is not even a contest. Even Amla is a better test player. Kohli has a lot of work to do in tests to be considered an elite test batsman.

In ODIs and T20s, he is by far the greatest of all.
 
Williamson and Amla are 2 most underrated players as they dont play for big 3 and hence even in the current world XI compiled by Warne and co, Smith,root and kohli were included and not kane or amla.
 
Williamson and Amla are 2 most underrated players as they dont play for big 3 and hence even in the current world XI compiled by Warne and co, Smith,root and kohli were included and not kane or amla.

Atherton and Ramiz were pushing for Kane to be included in some way.
 
Williamson and Amla are 2 most underrated players as they dont play for big 3 and hence even in the current world XI compiled by Warne and co, Smith,root and kohli were included and not kane or amla.

It's shocking how good Amla has been on all type of wickets, every country.

Most underrated bat of any era.
 
Tests:

1. Williamson
2. Smith
3. Root
4. Kohli

ODIs:

1. Kohli
2. Williamson
3. Root
4. Smith

T20Is:

1. Kohli
2. Root
3. Williamson
4. Smith

Overall, Williamson is currently the best according to me, as I prioritise formats in the order of Tests, ODIs and T20Is.

The other three are fairly close taking all formats into consideration, and I expect Root and Smith's LOI numbers to improve a fair bit over time, similarly to Kohli's Test numbers.
 
Amla is one underrated test player, scored runs everywhere. Has the most balanced records of all current test batsmen.
 
Tests:

1. Williamson
2. Smith
3. Root
4. Kohli

ODIs:

1. Kohli
2. Williamson
3. Root
4. Smith

T20Is:

1. Kohli
2. Root
3. Williamson
4. Smith

Overall, Williamson is currently the best according to me, as I prioritise formats in the order of Tests, ODIs and T20Is.

The other three are fairly close taking all formats into consideration, and I expect Root and Smith's LOI numbers to improve a fair bit over time, similarly to Kohli's Test numbers.

I agree with this. KW is very underrated, he is batter batsman than the other 3 and is more consistent. Root comes second and Smith/Kohli are about the same. I don't think Smith is better than Kohli at the moment. Root and KW are in tests.

In T20's there is no comparison, Kohli - Daylight - KW - Root - Smith

So I would agree that KW is the best of the lot combining the format. Root and Kohli aren't far behind though when we combine the format. Kohli is so far ahead in T20's that it is not even funny.
 
As of today the overall ranking for me is

Root
Kohli
Smith
Williamson

All 4 can improve in subcontinent. Whilst root needs to improve in Australia and New Zealand. Williamson in south Africa. Smith in England although he has a decent record there. Kohli in England.

Will be brilliant to watch these 4 for the next decade. In LO it's obvious world cup stats will matter and clutch knocks in bilaterals series. Long way to go before we say who is the best.
 
Kohli has made massive strides in the test format after being behind for a long time among the four while Williamson has been a bit off colour for sometime.

Root and Kohli leading the race across all formats now.

Most runs in 2016 in all formats (Tests/ODIs/T20Is)
2422* Virat Kohli, ave 86.50
2399 J Root, ave 49.97
2186 D Warner, ave 46.51
2048 S Smith, ave 47.62
1695 Williamson, ave 43.46
1675 De Kock, ave 54.03
1567 Bairstow, ave 54.03
 
Tests
Smith
Kohli
Root
QdK

ODI's
Kohli
QdK
Daylight
Root
Smith
 
I agree with this. KW is very underrated, he is batter batsman than the other 3 and is more consistent. Root comes second and Smith/Kohli are about the same. I don't think Smith is better than Kohli at the moment. Root and KW are in tests.

In T20's there is no comparison, Kohli - Daylight - KW - Root - Smith

So I would agree that KW is the best of the lot combining the format. Root and Kohli aren't far behind though when we combine the format. Kohli is so far ahead in T20's that it is not even funny.
Kane is overrated.

Fails against good attacks and on difficult wickets, in the shorter formats he can be a liability. He has messed up plenty a chase with his text book perfect blocks.
 
Williamson is a fine player but he is becoming Amla II in Limited Overs.

Great stats but little substance. Doesn't impact the outcome of the match much and bottles under pressure. These days, if Guptill doesn't fire, NZ generally lose. He is their MVP in Limited Overs.

Smith has a brilliant Test record, but I think overall, he is an inferior batsman to Kohli and Root, who are the top 2 in my view. I personally like Root more.

Mathews deserves to be mentioned alongside these names as well. He is a fantastic batsman who is only entering his peak years now.

As far as de Kock is concerned, he's going to reach this level as well. Only a matter of time before he fires regularly in Tests.

Just read this post. Pretty much what you posted was spot on, especially about Williamson being Amla-2.

But don't agree with Smith part though. I believe he is better than Kohli and Root in tests at least for the time being. When you meant that word "overall", did you include LOIs or you mean Kohli and Root will outshine him in the future? If it's the former, I would agree.
 
In the last three years with Tests, ODI's and T20's combined.

JE Root
Home inns 62 ave 56 hundreds 9
Away inns 57 ave 46 hundreds 7
Neutral inns 22 ave 44 hundreds 1

D Warner
Home inns 55 ave 56 hundreds 13
Away inns 55 ave 45 hundreds 6
Neutral inns 17 ave 40 hundreds 2

S Smith
Home inns 52 ave 73 hundreds 13
Away inns 54 ave 48 hundreds 7
Neutral inns 17 ave 46 hundreds 1

V Kohli
Home inns 44 ave 70 hundreds 6
Away inns 65 ave 53 hundreds 12
Neutral inns 19 ave 54 hundreds 1
 
In the last three years with Tests, ODI's and T20's combined.

JE Root
Home inns 62 ave 56 hundreds 9
Away inns 57 ave 46 hundreds 7
Neutral inns 22 ave 44 hundreds 1

D Warner
Home inns 55 ave 56 hundreds 13
Away inns 55 ave 45 hundreds 6
Neutral inns 17 ave 40 hundreds 2

S Smith
Home inns 52 ave 73 hundreds 13
Away inns 54 ave 48 hundreds 7
Neutral inns 17 ave 46 hundreds 1

V Kohli
Home inns 44 ave 70 hundreds 6
Away inns 65 ave 53 hundreds 12
Neutral inns 19 ave 54 hundreds 1
Warner would be a part of the fab 4 if he was a few years younger.
 
In the last three years with Tests, ODI's and T20's combined.

JE Root
Home inns 62 ave 56 hundreds 9
Away inns 57 ave 46 hundreds 7
Neutral inns 22 ave 44 hundreds 1

D Warner
Home inns 55 ave 56 hundreds 13
Away inns 55 ave 45 hundreds 6
Neutral inns 17 ave 40 hundreds 2

S Smith
Home inns 52 ave 73 hundreds 13
Away inns 54 ave 48 hundreds 7
Neutral inns 17 ave 46 hundreds 1

V Kohli
Home inns 44 ave 70 hundreds 6
Away inns 65 ave 53 hundreds 12
Neutral inns 19 ave 54 hundreds 1

What about Williamson?
 
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Failed in the UAE and failed in Sri Lanka too. Smith has always scored when the track is flat and someone else has also scored big from Australia.

There is nothing much to separate Smith and Warner. Both are mediocre on tracks with any assistance for bowlers. However, on bouncy or flat tracks they will the most destructive batsmen in the world.
Smith failed in UAE?

Warner did OK too
 
Just read this post. Pretty much what you posted was spot on, especially about Williamson being Amla-2.

But don't agree with Smith part though. I believe he is better than Kohli and Root in tests at least for the time being. When you meant that word "overall", did you include LOIs or you mean Kohli and Root will outshine him in the future? If it's the former, I would agree.

Smith is a non-entity at the moment in T20Is. Kohli is exceptional and Root is very good too. Overall, considering all formats, they are better than Smith.

Kohli has improved his concentration level in Test cricket and has eliminated those soft dismissals from his game. That however, is still a problem for Root but he is too good not to overcome it eventually.
 
Kohli,Kohli, and Kohli again. Root is close though. Smith is a little way off. Williamson is a league behind all 3.
 
I think Smith is a bit better than all of them in Tests and Odi. His 48 not out against SA was very gritty and changed my mind on him and also his honest post match presentation after the losses. He might not be technically elegant but he will make it up for it with sheer determination and hard work.
 
There is something unique about Kohli, there hasn't been a player like him in the history of game. He does remind me of Ronaldo, where as Root is more natural somewhat like Messi.
 
Kohli if you are not mentioning any format in particular.

Avgs 50 or more in all formats.
 
There is something unique about Kohli, there hasn't been a player like him in the history of game. He does remind me of Ronaldo, where as Root is more natural somewhat like Messi.
Kohli isn't second best to anyone in his generation and he is more of a natural talent with flair than a trained talent like Ronaldo.
 
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Still root a better test player for me

Kohli had an exceptional series but root has done faily well in this series

He is the best overseas batsman from the whole aus,nuz,eng,sou toured india recently
 
Still root a better test player for me

Kohli had an exceptional series but root has done faily well in this series

He is the best overseas batsman from the whole aus,nuz,eng,sou toured india recently

Root has looked poor against spin many times despite getting runs. He needs to tighten his game.
 
Still root a better test player for me

Kohli had an exceptional series but root has done faily well in this series

He is the best overseas batsman from the whole aus,nuz,eng,sou toured india recently

Trust me on this "Kohli is a far superior player of spin than Root is"
 
Add to that kohli has a bit more of versatility to him as well. Easily the best batsman of his generation.
 
Statistics aside Kohli has this wow factor. Root may not be an attractive player to watch like Kohli. But very effective percentage cricketer. He makes runs every where. Root is more like Amla. Kohli is more like ABDV.
 
Past we had Sachin-Lara-Ponting-Kallis-Dravid now we are witnessing same batting masterclass from Kohli-Smith-Root-Williamson-Warner...All are terrific players
 
Past we had Sachin-Lara-Ponting-Kallis-Dravid now we are witnessing same batting masterclass from Kohli-Smith-Root-Williamson-Warner...All are terrific players

Hopefully we will also find the wasim, waqar, donald, pollock, walsh, ambrose, mcgrath of this generation.

It already has a few good all rounders who can become ATG in the long run; along with a potential great leggie and offie.
 
Smith. Though it's very close.
Wouldn't put Williamson among those three. He simply isn't that good.
 
Past we had Sachin-Lara-Ponting-Kallis-Dravid now we are witnessing same batting masterclass from Kohli-Smith-Root-Williamson-Warner...All are terrific players

Batsmen who dominate bowlers always get more attention. Match winners ilke Laxman, Dravid took the back seat coz of it. In Kohli's case he is a match winner, he dominates bowling, he is also an attractive player to watch. So he is something special.
 
If this was only test match debate, then I will say Root. Kohli had stellar 2016, but he needs to "win" more tests. Yes, he has 100s in RSA, NZ, Aus, but all in losses or draws.

But if we are talking all formats in general, then I have to say Kohli. Because He is so far ahead of the pack in ODIs and T20s, its ridiculous. He can be compared to Viv Richards in LOI formats. There is something exceptional about his determination in LOIs.

So he is quickly catching up in tests, and is far ahead in ODI, T20s, so I have to say Kohli.

King Kohli.
 
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