Babar Azam: The Pride of Pakistan Cricket
Babar Azam made his ODI debut for Pakistan in May 2015 during a home series against Zimbabwe. He immediately made an impression by scoring a solid half-century—54 runs off 60 balls—in the third ODI. This promising start earned him a spot in both the Test and ODI squads for the subsequent away series against Sri Lanka.
Babar has brought a renewed sense of hope and pride to Pakistan cricket, raising the bar with his exceptional batting skills. His classical technique and ability to adapt across formats have drawn comparisons to legendary batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting. Known for anchoring innings and playing crucial match-winning knocks, Babar has firmly established himself as Pakistan’s leading batsman.
Virat Kohli: A Modern Cricket Icon
Virat Kohli first caught the world’s attention in 2008 when he led India’s U-19 team to victory at the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup. Just months later, he debuted for the senior Indian team in an ODI against Sri Lanka. Known for his aggressive batting style and unmatched consistency, Kohli quickly became a force on the international stage—earning him the nickname “The King of Cricket.”
Kohli’s ability to chase down targets under immense pressure and dominate bowlers has won him praise from fans and experts alike. His technique, especially in limited-overs cricket, has made him a master of run-chases. By the time he crossed the milestone of 150 ODIs, he had already racked up over 20 centuries—solidifying his status as one of cricket’s modern legends.
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Statistical Showdown of Kohli Vs Babar
Comparing their statistics offers valuable insights into their brilliance and overall impact on the game. Virat Kohli stands tall with an impressive batting average across all formats and an astounding tally of over 70 international centuries. His ability to consistently score runs in all conditions and against the world’s best bowling attacks highlights his remarkable skill, discipline, and dedication to the game.
On the other hand, Babar Azam, though trailing slightly behind Kohli in terms of batting average, has proven himself as one of the finest talents in international cricket. His knack for building long innings and turning solid starts into significant scores has played a vital role in Pakistan’s recent successes. Babar’s dominance in limited-overs cricket, particularly in T20 Internationals, where he consistently ranks among the top run-scorers, showcases his versatility and adaptability at the crease.
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Babar vs Virat: Test Match Comparision
| Particulars | Babar Azam | Virat Kohli |
| Matches | 52 | 113 |
| Runs | 3898 | 8848 |
| Average | 45.86 | 49.15 |
| Centuries (100s) | 9 | 29 |
| 50s | 26 | 30 |
| Highest Score | 196 vs Aus (2022) | 254 vs SA (2019) |
Babar vs Virat: ODI Matches Comparision
| Particulars | Babar Azam | Virat Kohli |
| Matches | 117 | 292 |
| Runs | 5729 | 13848 |
| Average | 56.72 | 58.67 |
| Strike Rate | 88.75 | 93.58 |
| Centuries (100s) | 19 | 50 |
| 50s | 32 | 72 |
| Highest Score | 158 vs Eng (2021) | 183 vs Pak (2012) |
Babar vs Virat: T20 Matches Comparision
| Particulars | Babar Azam | Virat Kohli |
| Matches | 274 | 376 |
| Runs | 9731 | 11994 |
| Average | 43.83 | 41.21 |
| Strike Rate | 128.95 | 133.42 |
| Centuries (100s) | 10 | 8 |
| 50s | 81 | 91 |
| Sixes | 179 | 371 |
| Fours | 1024 | 1074 |
| Highest Score | 115 vs Quetta (2023) | 113 vs Punjab (2016) |
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam Captaincy
Captaincy is very important when comparing the hustles of both players. Let’s read their stats for captaincy in Tests, One Day, and ODI.
Captaincy in Tests Comparision
| Stat | Babar Azam | Virat Kohli |
| Match | 7 | 66 |
| Wins | 6 | 39 |
| Loss | 1 | 16 |
| Draw | – | 11 |
| Win % | 75 | 59.09% |
Captaincy in ODIs Comparision
| Stat | Babar Azam | Virat Kohli |
| Match | 9 | 95 |
| Wins | 4 | 65 |
| Losses | 4 | 27 |
| Tied | 1 | 1 |
| No Results | 2 | |
| Win % | 50 | 70.43 |
Captaincy in T20s Comparision
| Stat | Babar Azam | Virat Kohli |
| Match | 37 | 50 |
| Wins | 23 | 30 |
| Losses | 9 | 16 |
| Tied | 0 | 2 |
| No Results | 5 | 2 |
| Win % | 71.87 | 64.58 |
Talking about captaincy they both have their fair share of achievements and failures. Virat Kohli has had more experience as a captain, leading India across formats and achieving notable success. Babar Azam is relatively new to captaincy but has shown promise in leading the Pakistani team. Azam’s ability to lead by example with the bat while also managing the team’s dynamics has earned him praise from cricketing experts. But for sure we can state that Virat Kohli is a better captain than Babar Azam. Virat Kohli is one of the highest-paid IPL players to date.
Babar Azam vs. Virat Kohli: Conclusion
Both Babar Azam and Virat Kohli have led their national teams with distinction. Kohli’s aggressive leadership and sharp tactics helped India achieve dominance across formats, while Babar’s calm approach and consistent performances have been vital for Pakistan’s success.
Deciding who’s better comes down to perspective. Kohli’s longevity and record-breaking consistency make him a modern great, while Babar’s rising impact and potential highlight his importance to Pakistan cricket. Both remain influential figures, driving the sport forward with their unique strengths.
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