Virat Kohli, Steve Smith or Joe Root? Dinesh Karthik picks the best Test batter

Table of Contents

Selecting the greatest Test batter of all time has always been one of cricket’s most spirited debates. With the game evolving across generations, fans and experts often find it tough to settle on one name. From the fearless stroke-makers of the past to the technically gifted run-machines of modern cricket, every era has produced batters who’ve left an everlasting impact. While names like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, and Brian Lara have long dominated conversations, the modern greats—Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson—have added new layers to the discussion with their consistency and adaptability across conditions.

In a fun segment with Cricbuzz, former India cricketer and currently a commentator Dinesh Karthik was asked to pick his all-time best Test batter through a knockout-style selection. Karthik began with an illustrious list of contenders, featuring Kohli, Graeme Smith, Virender Sehwag, Younis Khan, Root, Smith, Kumar Sangakkara, and AB de Villiers. Each name represented a distinct style of batting—Kohli’s aggression, Sangakkara’s grace, Sehwag’s fearless stroke play, and Smith’s unorthodox consistency.

In the first round, Karthik advanced Kohli, Sehwag, Smith, and Root to the next stage, recognizing their outstanding achievements and match-winning contributions. When it came down to the semi-finals, the competition tightened as he narrowed it further to just Kohli and Smith—two modern-day titans who have dominated red-ball cricket for over a decade.

In the final round, Karthik made his decisive call. Between Kohli’s flair and Smith’s unrelenting discipline, Karthik chose the Australian star, declaring Smith as his pick for the greatest Test batter of all time. He highlighted Smith’s incredible adaptability and hunger for runs, even under challenging conditions and against world-class bowling attacks.

Also READ: Suryakumar Yadav regrets not playing under MS Dhoni, reveals how Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma differ as captains

Notably, Smith’s Test record firmly supports Karthik’s choice. Since his debut in 2010, Smith has redefined batting with his remarkable consistency. In 119 Tests, the right-hander has amassed 10,477 runs at an astonishing average of 56.03—one of the best in cricket history. His 36 Test centuries and 43 half-centuries underline his appetite for big scores.

Smith’s dominance has been particularly evident in the Ashes, where he has tormented England bowlers year after year, scoring over 3,000 runs in the rivalry at an average nearing 60. His performances in difficult overseas conditions—such as India and South Africa—further strengthen his case as one of the most complete batters of the modern era.

Also READ: Irfan Pathan explains how Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli can play ODI World Cup 2027 for India