Cricket fans often debate who is better between Babar Azam and Virat Kohli. Both are modern-day greats, known for their stylish batting and match-winning performances. While Kohli has dominated world cricket for over a decade, Babar is making his mark as one of the finest batsmen of this generation. Let’s compare them in different aspects to see how they stack up.
1. Overall Career Performance
Virat Kohli: Kohli has been playing international cricket since 2008 and has achieved extraordinary milestones. He has scored more than 25,000 international runs and has 80+ international centuries (combined in all formats). His consistency in all conditions makes him one of the best batsmen ever.
Babar Azam: Babar started his career in 2015 and has quickly become Pakistan’s top batsman. He has already scored over 12,000 international runs and has 30+ centuries. While he still has a long way to go, his numbers show that he is following in Kohli’s footsteps.
2. Performance in Different Formats
a) Test Cricket
Kohli has played more than 100 Test matches, scoring over 8,500 runs at an average of around 48.
Babar, in comparison, has played fewer Tests but has an average close to 47, which shows his quality in the longest format.
b) One Day Internationals (ODIs)
Kohli is one of the best ODI players ever. He has 50+ centuries in ODIs and has won many games for India.
Babar is currently one of the top-ranked ODI batsmen with an average of 57+, which is better than Kohli’s career average.
c) T20 Internationals
In T20s, Kohli is the highest run-scorer in the format with an average above 50.
Babar, on the other hand, also has an excellent record and has been Pakistan’s backbone in T20 cricket.
3. Captaincy Comparison
Kohli’s Captaincy: Virat led India in all formats and took them to new heights, especially in Test cricket. Under his leadership, India reached the World Test Championship Final and won a historic Test series in Australia. However, he couldn’t win an ICC trophy as captain.
Babar’s Captaincy: Babar captained Pakistan for a few years and took them to the T20 World Cup Final in 2022. He was also the captain when Pakistan became the No.1 ODI team. However, he faced criticism for some tactical decisions.
4. Batting Style and Technique
Virat Kohli: Kohli is known for his aggressive intent, classic cover drives, and ability to chase big targets under pressure. His fitness level and mental strength make him a complete batsman.
Babar Azam: Babar is more graceful and relies on timing and placement. His cover drive is one of the most beautiful shots in cricket. He plays with a calm approach, similar to some of the all-time greats.
5. Big Match Performances
Kohli is famous for performing in high-pressure games, especially against Pakistan and in ICC tournaments. His 82 against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup* is one of the best innings in T20 history.
Babar has also played some memorable innings, including his century against New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup and a superb 196 against Australia in Tests. But he is still working on improving his performances in knockout matches.
If we look at experience and records, Virat Kohli is ahead. He has proved himself in every format and situation.
If we consider current form and potential, Babar Azam is not far behind. He has the talent to become an all-time great.
Both players have their strengths, and the cricket world is lucky to witness them. While Kohli has already achieved legendary status, Babar is on his way to creating his own legacy.
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