• Source:JND
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Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has named Virat Kohli as the best Test batter of the current generation, beating Joe Root despite the former England captain's strong statistics record. Karthik's choice stems from his personal experience playing with Kohli and his belief in former India skipper's ability to perform under duress.

England's Joe Root has been in exceptional form, becoming his country's highest century-maker in Test cricket and surpassing Alastair Cook's record. This achievement has sparked a debate among cricket experts about who is the best batter among the current generation's top players, known as the "Fab Four" - Root, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and Virat Kohli.

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Karthik praised Virat Kohli's clutch gene, emphasizing his ability to rise to the occasion and perform exceptionally well in high-pressure situations and big-ticket series.

"Numbers will tell you it's Joe Root, but my heart, the fact that he (Kohli) is someone I've seen playing in close quarters for the longest time now, over a decade. I know how he loves playing those big moments and big series. And if somebody asks him questions, he will come to you so strongly that you will be thinking, 'Wow, why did I even ask that question," Karthik said in a video on Cricbuzz.

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Kohli has experienced a slump in form lately, with his most recent century coming against the West Indies in July 2023. However, Karthik's admiration for Kohli remains unwavering, as he values Kohli's ability to deliver under pressure and rise to the occasion when his team needs him most.

"If I were given a question of who would bat for my life, it would be Kohli. No doubt," Karthik added.

Kohli has slammed 8,848 runs in 113 Tests and with 29 centuries to his name.