Following the conclusion of the IPL 2025, fans will be treated to an action-packed five-match Test series between India and England. It will be a high-profile Test series, kicking off the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-2027 cycle. Fascinatingly, both India and England have been immensely lucky to have legacy-defining careers. While the likes of Virat Kohli and Joe Root have been at the forefront for a decade, the next gen is ready to battle it out as well.
Monty Panesar, who played 50 Tests for England, was quizzed about these legends of the game, and the former spinner had interesting takes. While speaking exclusively to InsideSport, Panesar chose the Indian duo over the English. Read the interaction from the conversation below.
- Q. Shubman Gill or Harry Brook? Who has the better Test future?
Panesar: “Shubman Gill. Gill has a better future in Test cricket, and I really hope his numbers get better once he is appointed the captain of Team India.“
- Q. Virat Kohli or Joe Root – better batter?
Panesar: “I would say Virat Kohli. He’s a better batsman. Because of the fact that he brings to the table. His character, his aura – that’s why Virat Kohli.“
It was fascinating for Panesar to choose Gill and Kohli above Brook and Root. First, let’s talk about Gill. The new Indian Test captain has long been hailed as the Prince of Indian cricket. He has already mastered the art of ODI batting but hasn’t dominated the red-ball game as of yet. He averages just above 35 after 59 innings. That average drops to 25.70 in SENA countries, with no hundreds to show after 21 innings.
However, as Panesar mentioned, the entire nation hopes that his numbers improve once his captaincy stints begin. But dominating the English conditions won’t be a cakewalk. Brook, meanwhile, is one of the most fearsome Test batters currently, with 2339 runs at 58.47. Outside England, he has played in New Zealand and in Pakistan, and in both countries, Brook has smashed a total of 7 tons, with an astounding average of 80.00.
Meanwhile, Panesar, who also labelled Virat Kohli as the best ‘Fab Four’ batter, said that his “energy” and “aura” make Kohli a better batter than someone like Root. While Kohli has been retired now, Root is still going strong with 13,006 runs at 50.80. He remains just 2915 runs away from breaching Sachin Tendulkar’s mark of 15921.
Panesar also chooses Anderson over Bumrah
Also, Panesar was quizzed about James Anderson and Jasprit Bumrah as to who is the best Test bowler. The former English orthodox spinner quickly answer Anderson, who finished his career as the leading wicket-taking pacers with 704 wickets in 188 Tests. Bumrah, meanwhile, may be the better overall pacer across formats, he has played just 45 Tests so far, having taken 205 scalps.
- Q. James Anderson or Jasprit Bumrah – better bowler in Test cricket?
Panesar: “Anderson, in my opinion. I think the way he’s done it in all conditions – I think he’s a better bowler.”
- Q. Who has been the greatest Indian batter ever?
Panesar: “Sachin Tendulkar. We all know that. He’s the greatest Indian batsman. He took on what the great Sunil Gavaskar did and took it to the next level. He is the greatest Indian batsman.”
- Q. Has anyone managed to take Tendulkar’s legacy ahead?
Panesar: “Probably the closest are two cricketers – MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. They matched the same level of popularity, the demeanour and also had the ability to match the talent on the field as well.”
INSIDESPORT EXCLUSIVE
Monty Panesar picks Gill over Brook and Virat or Root
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— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) June 6, 2025
The post Exclusive: Shubman Gill & Virat Kohli are better than Harry Brook & Joe Root, says Monty Panesar appeared first on Inside Sport India.