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

Mobashir said:
Stats aren't everything. I can agree with the rest but Kevin Pietersen has nothing to do in that list. He has so many other things that makes him a special player and a better player than other with better stats. The number of impact/outstanding innings he has played, the way he will attack the best bowlers in the world is unmatched in recent years.
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He would play one knock per series but fail in rest. Consistency is key . The kind of cricket he played, he needed to be more consistent and impact full series rather than one match. Great player but not ATG for me and Root has surpassed him in my opinion. Root is the definition of consistency for England.
 
Root seems like the last one standing and has been in amazing touch the last few years.

Two of them hampered by tennis elbow and the other just done.
 
Stats aren't everything I agree, that's why I personally rate Root much higher than what his average suggests. He had to shoulder the burden of a weak test batting line up for 10 years, and was forced to bat at an undesirable position to prevent collapses. Imagine being the best batsman having to worry about the team getting bundled under 200 every single innings. This has been Root's entire career.

Root also had to captain a very weak English team for 5 years (half his career), which had an explicitly large impact on his batting (by his own admission too). Even then, Root didn't resign because ECB wanted his service as a captain, but he still turned up with clutch performances time and time again.

Top 5 highest batting average for respective countries in last 5 years, aside from Fab 4 (min 1000 runs)

Australia

Labuschagne - 53.40 (27 tests)
Khawaja - 47.21 (27 tests)
Warner - 45.76 (31 tests)
Head - 40.61 (27 tests)
Paine - 31.97 (31 tests)

India

Rohit - 54.2 (24 tests)
Jadeja - 46.00 (30 tests)
Pant - 43.32 (31 tests)
Agarwal - 41.33 (21 tests)
Pujara - 36.96 (48 tests)

New Zealand

CD Grandhomme - 42.27 (23 tests)
Latham - 42.26 (36 tests)
Nicholls - 41.58 (34 tests)
Taylor - 37.56 (31 tests)
Watling - 36.26 (23 tests)

England (!)

Stokes - 37.53 (51 tests)
Bairstow - 34.65 (49 tests)
Buttler - 32.16 (39 tests)
Burns - 30.32 (32 tests)
Pope - 29.75 (27 tests)

Meanwhile, the Fab 4

Smith - 56.42
Williamson - 56.30
Kohli - 49.68
Root - 49.27

Kinda puts things into perspective, doesn't it? I can't imagine anybody else batting as well as Root did with such a weak batting for a long time, while also being the captain.

Link for the interested

https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/e...2;team=5;team=6;template=results;type=batting
 
Sorry Joe, but Steve Smith is still the best test batsman of modern era. Root has a long way to go before he touches Smudge
 
Smith’s figures are currently untouchable, but I do think that Root’s already impressive numbers have even higher “value” than they would otherwise given the context of the last five years in the England team.
 
Joseph Gomes said:
Stats aren't everything I agree, that's why I personally rate Root much higher than what his average suggests. He had to shoulder the burden of a weak test batting line up for 10 years, and was forced to bat at an undesirable position to prevent collapses. Imagine being the best batsman having to worry about the team getting bundled under 200 every single innings. This has been Root's entire career.

Root also had to captain a very weak English team for 5 years (half his career), which had an explicitly large impact on his batting (by his own admission too). Even then, Root didn't resign because ECB wanted his service as a captain, but he still turned up with clutch performances time and time again.

Top 5 highest batting average for respective countries in last 5 years, aside from Fab 4 (min 1000 runs)

Australia

Labuschagne - 53.40 (27 tests)
Khawaja - 47.21 (27 tests)
Warner - 45.76 (31 tests)
Head - 40.61 (27 tests)
Paine - 31.97 (31 tests)

India

Rohit - 54.2 (24 tests)
Jadeja - 46.00 (30 tests)
Pant - 43.32 (31 tests)
Agarwal - 41.33 (21 tests)
Pujara - 36.96 (48 tests)

New Zealand

CD Grandhomme - 42.27 (23 tests)
Latham - 42.26 (36 tests)
Nicholls - 41.58 (34 tests)
Taylor - 37.56 (31 tests)
Watling - 36.26 (23 tests)

England (!)

Stokes - 37.53 (51 tests)
Bairstow - 34.65 (49 tests)
Buttler - 32.16 (39 tests)
Burns - 30.32 (32 tests)
Pope - 29.75 (27 tests)

Meanwhile, the Fab 4

Smith - 56.42
Williamson - 56.30
Kohli - 49.68
Root - 49.27

Kinda puts things into perspective, doesn't it? I can't imagine anybody else batting as well as Root did with such a weak batting for a long time, while also being the captain.

Link for the interested

https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/e...2;team=5;team=6;template=results;type=batting
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Good post.
 
% of Team runs scored by #FAB4 in Tests

16.80% - Steve Smith
16.15% - Joe Root
16.03% - Kane Williamson
15.00% - Virat Kohli
 
Test Average of #FAB4 by pitch difficulty

𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗬 pitches
89 - Smith
84 - Kohli
82 - Kane
68 - Root

𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛 pitches
47 - Smith
42 - Root
39 - Kohli
37 - Kane

Credits: [MENTION=34705]cric[/MENTION]vizanalyst
 
James said:
Good post.
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Actually it is a very poor post, elevating a batsman due to the poor performance of others is not a logical method of determining their value.

This is having an outcome then twisting the statistics to get the desired outcome.
 
The guy who averages 61.62 in test cricket. That's something unreal. Champion player
 
Why is Root still not playing ODIs? The guy can be a sixth bowler too and play a role in World Cup FGS!
 
Ab Fan said:
Why is Root still not playing ODIs? The guy can be a sixth bowler too and play a role in World Cup FGS!
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England ODI team is stacked and England prioritizes 100+ SR over high average. Not saying Root won't be picked, but England selectors don't seem to care if Root isn't part of the ODI squad.

England has been smashing Bangladesh in Bangladesh atm without Root. Bangladesh hasn't lost a home series in half a decade
 
Joseph Gomes said:
England ODI team is stacked and England prioritizes 100+ SR over high average. Not saying Root won't be picked, but England selectors don't seem to care if Root isn't part of the ODI squad.

England has been smashing Bangladesh in Bangladesh atm without Root. Bangladesh hasn't lost a home series in half a decade
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It's not gonna be easy in India vs other top teams especially in World Cups if the priority is 100+ SR batsman. World Cups games can be tricky even with 250-260 scores and if the pitches get slower you need a guy like Root who can anchor the inning well rather than someone trying to score at a 100+ SR but not getting himself in on that wicket.
 
Prime Smith (2014-2020) was the best Test batsman of the last 50 years and certainly the best I ever saw.

Root was a rung below him in that period and although Smith is still an excellent Test batsmen, Root has batted so exceptionally in the last 4 years that by the time they both retire, it will be a very close comparison and purely from a statistical point of view, Root will most likely be ahead.

Root deserves a lot of credit for how much ground he has covered in the last few years. This is one of the greatest batting peaks ever.
 
Mamoon said:
Indian fans can sign a petition to exclude Root’s runs scored in Pakistan once he overtakes Tendulkar.
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Enjoy the minnows status of Pakistan . :smith

Bobsy the king can't even scored run on flattest pitch in the world .:shh
 
Devadwal said:
Enjoy the minnows status of Pakistan . :smith

Bobsy the king can't even scored run on flattest pitch in the world .:shh
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Both Pakistan and India have the same number of WTC wins so I don’t know how Pakistan is a minnow and isn’t.

But but but sir please give us a chance to host the WTC final in India because we are tired of having our GOATs violated in England.

Babar is out of form but he will get back amongst the runs soon. He is too good a player not to and players like him don’t decline at 30. He is entering his prime now.

You should worry more about your King who has been batting like a circus clown in Test cricket for 4 years and the misery will probably only end when he retires. There is no light at the end of the dark tunnel but when it comes to Babar, you can always hope for a better tomorrow.
 
Mamoon said:
Both Pakistan and India have the same number of WTC wins so I don’t know how Pakistan is a minnow and isn’t.

But but but sir please give us a chance to host the WTC final in India because we are tired of having our GOATs violated in England.

Babar is out of form but he will get back amongst the runs soon. He is too good a player not to and players like him don’t decline at 30. He is entering his prime now.

You should worry more about your King who has been batting like a circus clown in Test cricket for 4 years and the misery will probably only end when he retires. There is no light at the end of the dark tunnel but when it comes to Babar, you can always hope for a better tomorrow.
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Pakistan yet to win a test match at home but hut india - Pakistan are same .

Babar is yet to score a 50 after 17 innings but but he is king .

I know you're burning inside .
 
Devadwal said:
Pakistan yet to win a test match at home but hut india - Pakistan are same .

Babar is yet to score a 50 after 17 innings but but he is king .

I know you're burning inside .
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:shh Mamoon bhai is speaking facts!
We must learn to respect Truth when spoken. In the times of universal deceit, speaking the truth is a revolutionary act.
🙏 🙏 There is a fire burning deep, channeled by objective truth.
 
Mamoon said:
Indian fans can sign a petition to exclude Root’s runs scored in Pakistan once he overtakes Tendulkar.
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Lol he can take over Sachin, unlike you we don’t live in the past.

We are looking for who is our next opener.

Let me make a guess drawn tests are acceptable now? Will England not lose pts with a drawn test?
 
Root for red ball, Virat for white ball
Smith has declined as of late, and Kane is the biggest HTB of the four
 
Joe Root has now crossed 1000 Tests runs in a calendar year for the fifth time

He has done it thrice since 2019 while Steve Smith and Virat Kohli haven't achieved the feat even once during the same phase
 
So, he has poor record in Australia while Ponting had poor record in India. Are both equal in Tests?
 
Ab Fan said:
So, he has poor record in Australia while Ponting had poor record in India. Are both equal in Tests?
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You have to look at all aspects. Not just how a cricketer did in one country.

Root is better than Ponting.
 
sweep_shot said:
You have to look at all aspects. Not just how a cricketer did in one country.

Root is better than Ponting.
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No way root is better than ponting.

Ponting played so many gun knocks where root most of runs are useless.

Ponting>>> Root
 
Devadwal said:
No way root is better than ponting.

Ponting played so many gun knocks where root most of runs are useless.

Ponting>>> Root
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Often difference between gun kncoks and useless knocks are team having bowling to pick up 20 wickets in all conditions.

SRT played one great knock in every series in SA, Aus, Eng, NZ etc but Indians won nothing in those countries in 90s. Reason was not useless knocks by SRT. Reason was Indians not having ability to pick up 20 wickets away from home.

I am not claiming that Root is better than Ponting. Just commenting on parameter for comparisons.
 
Buffet said:
Often difference between gun kncoks and useless knocks are team having bowling to pick up 20 wickets in all conditions.

SRT played one great knock in every series in SA, Aus, Eng, NZ etc but Indians won nothing in those countries in 90s. Reason was not useless knocks by SRT. Reason was Indians not having ability to pick up 20 wickets away from home.

I am not claiming that Root is better than Ponting. Just commenting on parameter for comparisons.
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Before 2-3 year root was average batsman where he was just scoring runs to maintain his batting average.

For me punter is one the greatest player's to Play cricket along with his captaincy.

Even these days root is scoring runs but his knock is out shadow by his teammates in term of impact.
 
Buffet said:
Often difference between gun kncoks and useless knocks are team having bowling to pick up 20 wickets in all conditions.

SRT played one great knock in every series in SA, Aus, Eng, NZ etc but Indians won nothing in those countries in 90s. Reason was not useless knocks by SRT. Reason was Indians not having ability to pick up 20 wickets away from home.

I am not claiming that Root is better than Ponting. Just commenting on parameter for comparisons.
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I am a big Australia fan and a Ponting fan.

But, I think Root is better than Ponting. Ponting had a serious weakness against spin. Root can play both pace and spin well.
 
sweep_shot said:
I am a big Australia fan and a Ponting fan.

But, I think Root is better than Ponting. Ponting had a serious weakness against spin. Root can play both pace and spin well.
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Ponting only had a weakness against Bhajji, he did well against others overall.
 
JaDed said:
Ponting only had a weakness against Bhajji, he did well against others overall.
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No. I have seen Ponting struggle against other spinners too (including Bangladeshi spinner Mohammad Rafique). He was more comfortable with pace.

Root is better in terms of technique. I also expect Root to surpass Ponting in terms of stats.
 
In test cricket I'd pick Smith and then Root.

In LOI I'd pick Kohli.

If I had to pick one player only across all formats I'd pick Kohli. He is not far behind them in test but they are way behind him in LOI.
 
sweep_shot said:
No. I have seen Ponting struggle against other spinners too (including Bangladeshi spinner Mohammad Rafique). He was more comfortable with pace.

Root is better in terms of technique. I also expect Root to surpass Ponting in terms of stats.
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Root plays only this format properly, in tests alone he would surpass Ponting in stats, at best Sachin is one level above only.

Ponting was a good captain also if stats are what matters Sachin will be very ahead of Ponting but that isn’t the case.
 
JaDed said:
Root plays only this format properly, in tests alone he would surpass Ponting in stats.

Ponting was a good captain also if stats are what matters Sachin will be very ahead of Ponting but that isn’t the case.
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Yes. I meant Test only.

In LOI, Ponting is miles ahead of Root. No comparison.
 
sweep_shot said:
No. I have seen Ponting struggle against other spinners too (including Bangladeshi spinner Mohammad Rafique). He was more comfortable with pace.

Root is better in terms of technique. I also expect Root to surpass Ponting in terms of stats.
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He has surpassed Tendulkar for sure as a batsman ( runs+stats+impact) but won't surpass tier one greats like Lara, Pointing, Kallis.
 
sweep_shot said:
I think Root is better than Ponting, Kallis, and Lara.

As a matter of fact, I think Root can finish as the 2nd greatest Test batter of all time (only behind Bradman).
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Thata high praise man. I'm not convinced of this.
 
Devadwal said:
Before 2-3 year root was average batsman where he was just scoring runs to maintain his batting average.

For me punter is one the greatest player's to Play cricket along with his captaincy.

Even these days root is scoring runs but his knock is out shadow by his teammates in term of impact.
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Ponting had his own issues when it comes to impact. While being part of Aus team, Aus won

2 times in India - Ponting averaged 8 on those 2 wins.
4 times in SL - Ponting averaged 30 in those 4 wins.
8 times in Eng - Ponting averaged 35 in those 8 wins.

Ponting had teams who could take 20 wickets often and Ponting was a very good batsmen so sure many of his runs came in wins. But it's not like he had a huge impact. Ponting has zero tons in win in test in Ind/SL/Pak/NZ/Eng when Mcgrath was absent.
 
sweep_shot said:
Root is not there yet.

But, if he ends up with 16,000 Test runs (which is a good possibility), I think he can lay a claim.
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I hope he does it.

Will be nice to see a genuine and controversy free ambassador at the top of the tree for most runs.
 
sweep_shot said:
I am a big Australia fan and a Ponting fan.

But, I think Root is better than Ponting. Ponting had a serious weakness against spin. Root can play both pace and spin well.
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Root has a big hole in his career as well.

42 innings in Aus/SA and he has 1 ton combined.

How well you play in strong opposition's den defines your legacy.
 
Root is not really going to be rated that high despite having volume of runs.

Test cricket, toughest job for batsmen always have been scoring tons in strong opposition's den.

Starting from 1990, Aus, SA, Ind and Eng have the highest W/L at home.

See how many tons Root has scored, not talking about impact. Not talking about wins. Just simple tons scored at home of top oppositions in the last 35 years.

He has been outshined by a long margin by his peers like Smith, Kohli, Cook etc. Just 4 tons in 72 innings agasint 3 hardest opposition's in their den. That's just low. You can notice that he got plenty of starts and scored 50s but failed to go big.


Root.jpg
 
Buffet said:
Root is not really going to be rated that high despite having volume of runs.

Test cricket, toughest job for batsmen always have been scoring tons in strong opposition's den.
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This is your own opinion. I think a batter needs to be judged based on all aspects. Not just how he did in "strong opposition's den". Strong is also a subjective word.
 
sweep_shot said:
This is your own opinion. I think a batter needs to be judged based on all aspects. Not just how he did in "strong opposition's den". Strong is also a subjective word.
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It's not subjective,

Top4opp.jpg

In test cricket, you you don't belong in discussion for the best of all time if you fail to score big agaisnt best teams in their dens. Avg of 42 with just 4 tons in 72 attmepts,

Look at some others, SRT, Lara, Kohli, Cook, Amala ... So many have scored heavily. Smith/Kohli actualy had to face Anderson and Co who were extremely suitable for conditions at home so we can't even claim that Root got bad end of deal by playing for Eng.

We don't have to actually discuss all time. Smith is the best test batsman for this generation and Root is not near him. now Smith is very high class and belong in class of Lara and SRT so it's tough.
 
Buffet said:
Root is not really going to be rated that high despite having volume of runs.

Test cricket, toughest job for batsmen always have been scoring tons in strong opposition's den.

Starting from 1990, Aus, SA, Ind and Eng have the highest W/L at home.

See how many tons Root has scored, not talking about impact. Not talking about wins. Just simple tons scored at home of top oppositions in the last 35 years.

He has been outshined by a long margin by his peers like Smith, Kohli, Cook etc. Just 4 tons in 72 innings agasint 3 hardest opposition's in their den. That's just low. You can notice that he got plenty of starts and scored 50s but failed to go big.


View attachment 146694
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These stats are meaningless and faulty. It is showing Marcus North is better than Root. LOL.

Stats can be manipulated.

Those who have seen last 12 years live and seen Root live would say Root is one of the top 3 Test batters in the past decade. No need for statistics.
 
sweep_shot said:
These stats are meaningless and faulty. It is showing Marcus North is better than Root. LOL.

Stats can be manipulated.

Those who have seen last 12 years live and seen Root live would say Root is one of the top 3 Test batters in the past decade. No need for statistics.
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It does not show that North is better batsman than Root. It shows that North has scored same number of tons as Root despite playing less innings.

No one takes this and arrange them in order to rank batsmen. It's simply a way to see, did you score heavily against top sides? And if you did not then you don't belong as a contender for best of all time. It's not a hard concept.
 
sweep_shot said:
Those who have seen last 12 years live and seen Root live would say Root is one of the top 3 Test batters in the past decade. No need for statistics.
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Top 3 test batsman in the last 10 years. That's perfectly all right.

There is a huge gap between top 3 in 10 years vs one of the best among all times. Smith is one of the best among all times and it's clear in stats as well.
 
Buffet said:
Top 3 test batsman in the last 10 years. That's perfectly all right.

There is a huge gap between top 3 in 10 years vs one of the best among all times. Smith is one of the best among all times and it's clear in stats as well.
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I think Root would be a contender for "one of the best among all times" too. He is 5th in terms of most Test runs. May even surpass Tendulkar.

We have to consider all aspects as well as capabilities of the batter.
 
Kohli vs Williamson vs Root vs Smith

For LOI, Kohli wins. No competition.
For Test, Root wins. No competition.

That's how I see it.
 
sweep_shot said:
I think Root would be a contender for "one of the best among all times" too. He is 5th in terms of most Test runs. May even surpass Tendulkar.

We have to consider all aspects as well as capabilities of the batter.
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Depends how long the list is for any individual.

For example , Jayawardene has around 12K test runs, but not many fans will put him in list of top 25 test batsmen.

Look at Anderson, he has more test wickets than any pacer and yet he won't get anywhere close to top 10 pacers in history.

Volume of wickets/runs don't define greatness.
 
www.dailymail.co.uk

England's top 10 batsmen of all time and why Joe Root still isn't No1

LAWRENCE BOOTH IN MULTAN: Root has been a key player for England for years, consistently scoring runs in all conditions, and his class at the crease is clear for all to see.
www.dailymail.co.uk www.dailymail.co.uk

England's top 10 batsmen of all time and why record-breaker Joe Root still isn't No1, argues Wisden Editor LAWRENCE BOOTH​


He is putting jack Hobbs. Anyway. Root was lucky to play 145 tests in 10 to 12 year period. Not many have that many tests during such a short period. For the record Tendulkar played only 80 tests during the same period. So naturally it coincides with your peak and you make the most of it.
 
jnaveen1980 said:
www.dailymail.co.uk

England's top 10 batsmen of all time and why Joe Root still isn't No1

LAWRENCE BOOTH IN MULTAN: Root has been a key player for England for years, consistently scoring runs in all conditions, and his class at the crease is clear for all to see.
www.dailymail.co.uk www.dailymail.co.uk

England's top 10 batsmen of all time and why record-breaker Joe Root still isn't No1, argues Wisden Editor LAWRENCE BOOTH​


He is putting jack Hobbs. Anyway. Root was lucky to play 145 tests in 10 to 12 year period. Not many have that many tests during such a short period. For the record Tendulkar played only 80 tests during the same period. So naturally it coincides with your peak and you make the most of it.
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Jack Hobbs played Test cricket from 1908 to 1930. Amateur era. He can't be the #1.

Root is the greatest English batter of all time both subjectively and objectively.
 
sweep_shot said:
Kohli vs Williamson vs Root vs Smith

For LOI, Kohli wins. No competition.
For Test, Root wins. No competition.

That's how I see it.
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I'm no fan of smith but he is best amongst fab 4 when comes to test cricket.
 
Buffet said:
Depends how long the list is for any individual.

For example , Jayawardene has around 12K test runs, but not many fans will put him in list of top 25 test batsmen.

Look at Anderson, he has more test wickets than any pacer and yet he won't get anywhere close to top 10 pacers in history.

Volume of wickets/runs don't define greatness.
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Don't have Anderson in My top 15

He is England's second greatest bowler though. Maybe third
 
Devadwal said:
No way root is better than ponting.

Ponting played so many gun knocks where root most of runs are useless.

Ponting>>> Root
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Let's be honest, both players are better then Sachin and would be hailed as better them Sachin if Sachin was an aussie while pointing and root were Indians.
 
mominsaigol said:
Let's be honest, both players are better then Sachin and would be hailed as better them Sachin if Sachin was an aussie while pointing and root were Indians.
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SRT is best ever player to played the cricket GOAT.

Any lallu panju type players comes and go but he will remain GOAT.
 
Devadwal said:
SRT is best ever player to played the cricket GOAT.

Any lallu panju type players comes and go but he will remain GOAT.
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Yes the goat who captained his team into a minnow in a single year.

I wish they never removed him, would be a treat to watch him captain till 2011 🤣
 
I will pick based on formats.

For white ball, I will pick Kohli any day but todaysKohli has regressed too much TBH
For red-ball, it could be smith or Root.
 
Buffet said:
It's not subjective,

View attachment 146697

In test cricket, you you don't belong in discussion for the best of all time if you fail to score big agaisnt best teams in their dens. Avg of 42 with just 4 tons in 72 attmepts,

Look at some others, SRT, Lara, Kohli, Cook, Amala ... So many have scored heavily. Smith/Kohli actualy had to face Anderson and Co who were extremely suitable for conditions at home so we can't even claim that Root got bad end of deal by playing for Eng.

We don't have to actually discuss all time. Smith is the best test batsman for this generation and Root is not near him. now Smith is very high class and belong in class of Lara and SRT so it's tough.
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I mean this is just a fundamentally dishonest argument, you are abusing his well known struggles in Australia to develope this narrative his stats in all four big nations are medicore.

He averages 45 in India after 30 innings, while facing an ATG home attack on proper rank turners, only Batsmen from his generation who have outbatted him over a 10 match+ range has been...Steven Smith, one of the absolute GOATs. On top of averaging 45 in the biggest home fortress in recent memory

he averages 50 in South Africa, and his 100 came in a series winning knock against Rabada/Morkel, his first tour had him averaging 55 with 3 fifties and one hundred, his second tour came in the down.period of his career and he still managed 45 average, he again has absolutely no struggles in South Africa.


infact, he is miles better in India than Ponting was in England, he is also miles better in SA than Ponting was in India.

he has excellent numbers in both India AND south Africa (45 in this era, 50 in this era), you're using his struggles in Australia to present his away stats as inferior to what they are, he doesn't have struggles in the den of the stronger nations, his struggles are limited to one country.

don't get me started on the logic of ignoring Sri Lanka and New Zealand for no reason after SL has compareable stats to SA at home in recent times and NZ has better home winrate than Eng in recent times too

Screenshot_20241010-062724.png

(two of the Ls to Lanka were handed by Root too) but regardless, your logic doesn't work, as of the three countries you're using as a criteria for he has been a great in two of them and only struggled in one.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The recency bias has led many to proclaim Joe Root as the best Test batter of the modern era. However, while Root is undoubtedly the best currently, Steve Smith's impressive record in high-stakes matches – including the Ashes series, Border-Gavaskar series, and World Test Championship finals – solidifies his position as the top red-ball batter of this era
 
atreus said:
I mean this is just a fundamentally dishonest argument, you are abusing his well known struggles in Australia to develope this narrative his stats in all four big nations are medicore.

He averages 45 in India after 30 innings, while facing an ATG home attack on proper rank turners, only Batsmen from his generation who have outbatted him over a 10 match+ range has been...Steven Smith, one of the absolute GOATs. On top of averaging 45 in the biggest home fortress in recent memory

he averages 50 in South Africa, and his 100 came in a series winning knock against Rabada/Morkel, his first tour had him averaging 55 with 3 fifties and one hundred, his second tour came in the down.period of his career and he still managed 45 average, he again has absolutely no struggles in South Africa.


infact, he is miles better in India than Ponting was in England, he is also miles better in SA than Ponting was in India.

he has excellent numbers in both India AND south Africa (45 in this era, 50 in this era), you're using his struggles in Australia to present his away stats as inferior to what they are, he doesn't have struggles in the den of the stronger nations, his struggles are limited to one country.
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Do you disagree that Aus/Ind/SA has been the toughest place to tour for batsmen during Root's career? Clearly, these three are toughest place to tour for batsmen and Root simply struggled to go big on these venues.

You are focusing on average and I am focusing on frequency of going big. Cute 50s don't win matches, daddy hundreds win you matches. It's just simple fact that he has very few big scores in Aus/Ind/SA in his entire career and that's point I was trying to make by sorting it by number of tons. In fact, two test wins came for Eng in India/SA when Root scored ton. He just had a horrible conversion rate in India, Aus and SA. That means decent average but not much impact. Imapct can be just avoiding a loss


Root has gotten lots of flat tracks in India during his tours. During 2016 Eng tour of India, scome of the scores were - 759/7 , 477, 631, 400, 417, 435, 488, 537

Root has got fair share of all kinds of tracks in India, including flat and rank turners. Facing Bumrah, Ashwin and Jadeja is whole lot different than facing SL bowlers. Pakistan whitewashed SL in their home in last series.

Really top tier batsmen go big on most difficult places frequently. Root rarely scored big in those places. Yes, when you start going down the list then he has more success in going big.

One thing I agree with your post, he is better in India than Ponting, but that's not really saying much. Ponting was really bad in India.
 
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