IND v ENG 2021: Gambhir explains why it's unfair to compare Root and Williamson to Kohli and Smith

Gambhir's comments came after Joe Root's epic double ton against India in the first Test.

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir on Saturday (February 6) showered rich praise on Joe Root, who smashed his fifth double ton in the longest format of the game on Day 2 of the opening Test against India at Chepauk.

According to Gambhir, the England captain and his New Zealand counterpart Kane Williamson should not be compared to Virat Kohli and Steve Smith.

There is usually a comparison between the four players among fans and experts because of their remarkable batting credentials in the past decade.

However, Gambhir reckons it is unfair on Root and Williamson as they play in toughest conditions in England and New Zealand while Kohli and Smith bat in the relatively easier pitches in India and Australia, respectively.

“You have to realize one thing that someone like Kane Williamson and Joe Root probably play in the toughest of conditions. England is not the easy place to play, with the Duke ball and in English conditions. And, New Zealand equally is not that easy to play when the ball is swinging and seaming. You look at sub-continent conditions, you look at Australian conditions, they tend to go flat. But England never goes flat, especially with the Duke ball,” Gautam Gambhir told ESPNcricinfo.

“You cannot compare Virat Kohli and Steve Smith to Joe Root or Kane Williamson because of the conditions. But then, look what he (Root) has done in the sub-continent. Imagine if Virat Kohli would have gone to England and New Zealand and got these kind of runs. It is unbelievable, especially on these turning tracks. He has 600 runs in three Test matches, that too in the subcontinent, where the ball starts spinning from day one. We should not forget what he has done in Sri Lanka. The conditions have changed from day to Day 2 but he has looked in complete control,” he explained.

Coming to Joe Root, the England skipper played a marathon knock of 218 before getting out LBW to left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem in the first innings at Chepauk. He batted more than 4 sessions and 377 balls while his knock was studded with 19 fours and 2 sixes.

With this herculean effort, Root became the first batsman to hit a double ton in 100th Test as England ended Day 2 on 555/8.