Virat Kohli or Kane Williamson: Who is the better Test captain?

With the inaugural World Test Championship final knocking on the door, there are many questions giving cricket enthusiasts sleepless nights. Will the five-day match, which starts on June 18 in Southampton, go into the sixth day? Will the Indian batting line-up comfortably negotiate the New Zealand pace battery? And the most important question of them all: Who is the better skipper? Virat Kohli or Kane Williamson?

While some say it is Kohli because of his habit of going the extra mile, others say Williamson because he has a cool head on his shoulders.

It really is difficult to pick one name. Primarily because both of them carry a pedigree only a handful can match up to. And their numbers speak for themselves.

To have a better understanding of the topic let’s take a look at the statistics that separate the two.

Overall Test cricket

Kohli has played 91 matches while Williamson has played 83. The Indian has scored 7,490 runs at a striking average of 52.37, and the Black Cap has amassed 7,115, averaging at 54.31. Overall, Kohli has 27 centuries and 25 half-centuries to his name, the highest being an unbeaten 254. Williamson, on the other hand, has 24 centuries in his kitty and 32 fifties, with his highest score being 251.

Fourth innings record

The fourth innings is considered to be the most challenging part of Test cricket and both players have emerged with flying colours.

In 24 innings, Kohli has scored 968 runs, at an average of 50.94 with two tons and seven 50s under his belt. His highest score under such circumstances has been 141.

In 19 innings, Williamson has scored 688 runs and averages 49.14. He has three hundreds and as many fifties, the highest being 108 not out.

Also Read | From Headingly to Gabba: Best matches of the World Test Championship

Home and Away record

Batting in home conditions is considered easier for players, and they often use it to their advantage. Both the players have played 66 innings at home and have almost identical records.

Williamson: 3,788 runs at an average of 65.31 (13 hundreds and 18 fifties).

Kohli: 3,730 runs at an average of 64.31 (13 hundreds and 12 fifties).

In Away conditions:

Williamson: 78 innings, 3,327 runs at an average of 45.57. He has 11 tons and 14 half-centuries.

Kohli: 87 innings, 3,760 runs at an average of 44.23. He has hit 14 hundreds and 13 half-centuries.

Also Read | Top scorers, wicket-takers and more: Key statistics from the WTC

Contribution in Team runs

In his 91 matches, Kohli has contributed 7,490 runs out of the 48,108 Team runs, which means he has scored 15.56% of the team’s runs.

Williamson has played 83 matches and scored 7,115 runs out of the 43,482 overall team runs, meaning he has scored 16.36% of the team’s runs.

Test record as captain

From 2014 to 2021, Kohli has played 60 matches as captain and has a 36:14 win/loss ratio and 10 draws. His win percentage stands tall at 60%.

From 2016 to 2021, Williamson has played 35 matches as captain and has a 21:8 win/loss ratio. He boasts of a 58.33 win percentage and a 22.22 loss percentage.

In England, where the conditions will see bounce and swing, it is expected that Williamson will trump Kohli as he has seasoned his cricketing acumen in almost similar conditions. Critics consider Williamson a natural player of seam and swing as he grew up in New Zealand, where conditions favour the fast bowlers. Kohli, on the other hand, is a master player of spin.

All said and done, it is quite difficult to actually point out who is the better Test captain as both have towering numbers to back themselves. Neck and neck in the longest format of the game, both players are consistent batsmen and will aim to guide their team to a historic crown.