Temba Bavuma vs Virat Kohli - comparing their stats after 63 Tests ahead of SA vs AUS 2025 WTC final

Skipper Temba Bavuma will be hoping to create history when South Africa take on Australia in the ICC 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's starting Wednesday, June 11. The Proteas have reached the final of the Test championship for the first time and will be keen to capture the crown. South Africa have only one ICC title to their name across formats, which was clinched way back in 1998.

Bavuma has had his fair share of criticism over the years. Questions have been raised over his captaincy credentials and his batting ability as well. A win in the WTC final will go a long way in silencing the critics especially if he leads from the front with the bat. In the ongoing WTC cycle, the Proteas skipper has scored 609 runs in 11 innings at an impressive average of 60.90, with two centuries.

Bavuma has so far featured in 63 Test matches. Ahead of the WTC 2025 final between South Africa and Australia at Lord's, we compare his stats with that of Indian batting star Virat Kohli after 63 Tests.

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Temba Bavuma vs Virat Kohli - Who has more runs and a better average after 63 Tests?

After 63 Tests, Bavuma has 3,606 runs to his name at an average of 37.95. Of his 3,606 runs, 587 runs have come in 11 Tests against Sri Lanka at an average of 30.89. He has also scored 538 runs in nine Tests against England at an average of 35.86 and 511 runs in seven Tests against Pakistan, averaging 51.10. Against Australia, Bavuma has 483 runs in eight matches at an average of 40.25.

After 63 Tests, Kohli had scored 5,268 runs at an average of 53.75. Of his runs, 1,322 came in 15 matches against Australia at an average of 50.84. He had scored 1,004 runs in nine matches against Sri Lanka at an average of 77.23. Further, Kohli had notched up 977 runs in 14 matches against England at an average of 44.40 and 735 runs in seven Tests against New Zealand, averaging 66.81.

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Temba Bavuma vs Virat Kohli - Who has more hundreds after 63 Tests?

Having played 63 Tests, Bavuma has managed four tons. His best of 172 came against West Indies in Johannesburg in March 2023. The 35-year-old also scored 113 against Sri Lanka in Durban (November 2024), 106 against Pakistan in Cape Town (January 2025) and 102* against England in Cape Town (January 2016).

Player	Runs	HS	Average	100s	50s
Temba Bavuma	3,606	172	37.95	4	24
Virat Kohli	5,268	243	53.75	20	15

(Temba Bavuma vs Virat Kohli batting stats after 63 Tests)

After 63 Tests, Kohli had as many as 20 hundreds to his name, with a best of 243 against Sri Lanka in Delhi in December 2017. He also scored 213 in the previous Test of the same series in Nagpur. Kohli had five Test hundreds against Sri Lanka from nine matches after 63 Tests.

The former India captain also notched up six Test tons against Australia from 15 matches. Further, Kohli hit three tons each against England and New Zealand and one hundred each against Bangladesh, South Africa and West Indies.

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Temba Bavuma vs Virat Kohli - Who has a better record in winning causes after 63 Tests?

Having played 63 Tests, Bavuma has featured in 33 matches that South Africa have won. In winning causes, he has scored 2,093 runs at an average of 45.50. Three of his four hundreds and 15 of his 24 fifties that have come in Test matches that South Africa have won.

Player	Matches	Runs	HS	Average	100s	50s
Temba Bavuma	33	2,093	172	45.50	3	15
Virat Kohli	31	2,685	235	58.36	9	8

(Temba Bavuma vs Virat Kohli batting stats in winning causes after 63 Tests)

Of his first 63 matches, Kohli was part of 31 Tests that India won. In winning causes, he scored 2,685 runs at an excellent average of 58.36. Of his 20 Test hundreds after 63 matches, nine came in winning causes while seven came in draws and four in losses.

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Temba Bavuma vs Virat Kohli - Who has a better record in away Tests after 63 Tests?

South African captain Bavuma has a rather underwhelming record in away Tests. In 27 matches, he has scored 1,459 runs at an average of 31.71. He is yet to notch up a Test ton away from home. The right-hander has 11 fifties, with a best of 89.

Of his first 63 Tests, Kohli played 31 away from home. In 54 innings, he scored 2,347 runs at an average of 45.13. The former India skipper notched 10 hundreds and five half-centuries, with a best of 200.