Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli- A comparison between a well-established Great of the Game from India and a rising special youngster from Pakistan. This is not just a comparison of two players, but it is the desire of crores of fans of both sides that their player turns out to be the best batsman in World Cricket. Both played beautiful textbook shots and have a great batting technique. Both have established themselves as sports powerhouse players.
When these legends bat, we can say that we are watching the Maestro. Indian maestro Virat Kohli and Pakistan prodigy Babar Azam have achieved many milestones throughout their career and joined several elite groups of Modern Greats.
Many Cricket Expert feels that it’s time to include Babar Azam in the illustrious group that contains a dynamic quartet of Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith which is also referred to as the fab four.
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli: Batting Stats
When these two bats are in the middle. then, there is no great sight than watching them bat. Coming to their batting comparison, prolific Virat Kohli has a better record than Babar Azam. However, Babar Azam’s stupendous start to his cricket career and also taking fewer inning than Virat to reach 1K, 2K, and 3K runs in ODI has led to a comparison with Virat Kohli. Last year, he ended Virat Kohli’s more than three-year-long reign as the world’s best ODI batsman in ICC ranking.
Test
Since making his Test debut in 2011, Virat Kohli has accumulated 8043 runs in 101 matches with 27 hundred and 28 half-centuries. He has plundered these runs at an average of 50. On the other hand, Babar Azam has added 2851 runs at an average of 46 in 40 matches. Since making his Test debut in 2016, he has scored 6 centuries and 21 half-centuries. Here is Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli comparison in Test Cricket.
| Player | Match | Inn | Runs | Avg | SR | HS | 100s | 50s |
| Virat Kohli | 101 | 171 | 8043 | 50 | 55.7 | 254* | 27 | 28 |
| Babar Azam | 40 | 71 | 2851 | 46 | 53.8 | 196 | 6 | 21 |
ODI
Virat Kohli made his ODI debut in 2008 and has smashed 12311 runs so far at an average of 58.10, and a strike rate of 92.90 in 260 ODI games. He also hit 43 centuries and 64 half-centuries during his ODI career. Whereas, Babar Azam has smashed 17 centuries and 19 half-centuries in 89 ODI matches. He made his debut in 2015 and scored 4442 runs at an average of 59.20 and a strike rate of 90.20
| Player | Match | Inn | Runs | Avg | SR | HS | 100s | 50s |
| Virat Kohli | 260 | 251 | 12311 | 58.1 | 92.9 | 183 | 43 | 64 |
| Babar Azam | 89 | 87 | 4442 | 59.2 | 90.2 | 158 | 17 | 19 |
T20
Virat Kohli has compiled 3296 runs at a strike rate of 137.70 and has a batting average of 51.50 in 97 T20 games. Since making his T20 debut in 2010, he has scored 30 half-centuries. Babar Azam has hit 1 century and 26 half-centuries in his T20 career. Babar made his T20 debut in 2016 and scored 2686 runs at an average of 45.50, and a strike rate of 129.40 in 74 T20 games.
| Player | Match | Inn | Runs | Avg | SR | HS | 100s | 50s |
| Virat Kohli | 97 | 89 | 3296 | 51.5 | 137.7 | 94* | 0 | 30 |
| Babar Azam | 74 | 69 | 2686 | 45.5 | 129.4 | 122 | 1 | 26 |
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli: Captaincy Stats
Virat Kohli stepped down as Indian captain from all forms of cricket. However, Kohli has a great record as Indian captain. While Babar Azam is leading Pakistan in all three formats of cricket.
Test
Virat Kohli has captained India in 68 Test matches and under his leadership, India has won 40 games. He also compiled 5608 runs as Indian Test captain. On the other hand, Babar Azam has given captaincy duty last year. Under the leadership of Azam, Pakistan has won 7 out of 11 Test matches. Here is Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli comparison in their captaincy in Test cricket.
| Virat Kohli | Metric | Babar Azam |
| 2014-2022 | Span | 2021-2022 |
| 68 | Matches as Captain | 11 |
| 5608 | Run as Captain | 806 |
| 40 | Match Won as Captain | 7 |
| 17 | Match Lost as Captain | 2 |
| 11 | Draw/NR | 2 |
| 58.82 | Win% as Captain | 63.63 |
ODI
A win percentage of over 70 in ODI cricket is good enough to tell you how good was Virat Kohli’s captaincy in ODI cricket. India has won 65 games under Kohli’s leadership. He also smashed 5449 runs as Indian ODI captain. Whereas, Babar has played 15 games as ODI captain and won nine out of them. Recently he became the fastest batsman to reach 1000 runs as ODI captain. He took only 13 innings to achieve this feat.
| Virat Kohli | Metric | Babar Azam |
| 2013-2021 | Span | 2020-2022 |
| 95 | Matches as Captain | 15 |
| 5449 | Run as Captain | 1083 |
| 65 | Match Won as Captain | 9 |
| 27 | Match Lost as Captain | 5 |
| 3 | Draw/NR | 1 |
| 70.43 | Win% as Captain | 63.33 |
T20
Virat Kohli has won 30 games as Indian captain in the T20 format. He captained India in 50 T20 games and scored 1570 runs. On the other hand, Babar Azam has won 26 games out of 41 games as Pakistan captain in the T20 format. He also scored 1396 runs as captain.
| Virat Kohli | Metric | Babar Azam |
| 2017-2021 | Span | 2019-2022 |
| 50 | Matches as Captain | 41 |
| 1570 | Run as Captain | 1396 |
| 30 | Match Won as Captain | 26 |
| 16 | Match Lost as Captain | 10 |
| 4 | Draw/NR | 5 |
| 64.58 | Win% as Captain | 72.22 |
We have shown you the statistics of Two Greats of Modern Time. Now it is up to you whom you pick. Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli- Whom you pick? Comment.
Also, read- Best Wicket-keeper in the World
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