Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam

Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam is one the biggest player battles to watch out for in the game of cricket. The rivalry has been formed by the experts and fans since the Pakistan player has climbed the ladders of world cricket. Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam is a match that runs along with the India vs Pakistan clashes.

Both batters have created benchmarks in international cricket and have been an important part of their respective side’s batting line-up.Virat Kohli is the senior among the pair, making his debut way back in 2008, which is seven years before Babar Azam broke into the international scene.

The debate on the two batting superstars is worth a longer and broader discussion rather than putting it in a nutshell. Let’s decode the numbers of Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam.

Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam Record Comparison - ODI

Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam competition in ODIs is on a different scale. Kohli stamped his authority in ODIs with his daddy hundreds in a golden phase between 2012 and 2019. Kohli is the fastest batter to reach 10,000 ODI runs, taking 205 innings, 10 years and 67 days to reach the feat. Kohli has scored 12898 runs in 265 ODI innings at an average of 57.32.

Babar, meanwhile, has amassed 5353 runs in 90 innings at an average of 59.79 and has already broken several records set by Kohli. Babar became the second-fastest batter to reach 4000 and 5000 ODI runs. He took 97 innings to surpass former South Africa batter Hashim Amla’s achievement in 101 innings to reach 5000 ODI runs.

Click here for Virat Kohli vs Pakistan Records in Asia Cup.

Kohli has 65 fifties and 46 centuries in the 50-over format, whereas Babar has 28 half centuries and 19 centuries. Many experts believe Babar will end up shattering many world records, including the ones set by Kohli himself.

Fast forward to 2023, Babar Azam is now the No. 1-ranked ODI batter, while Virat Kolhi is ranked ninth in the ICC ODI rankings.

Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam Record Comparison - T20

Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli record in T20Is is very interesting. As of August 31, 2023, Kohli has played 115 T20Is, while Babar has played 104 matches. With 4008 runs in 107 innings, Kohli is the highest run-getter in T20 Internationals.

Babar is fourth on the list with over 3000 runs in the shortest format while equalling Kohli’s record of achieving the landmark in 81 innings. Babar has notched three centuries in the high-paced format while Kohli has just one.

Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam Record Comparison - Tests

Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam in Test cricket is a far lopsided debate and cannot draw comparisons at the stage. Kohli has played the format for more than a decade and has scored over 8500 runs with 29 fifties and as many centuries.

Kohli has amassed 8676 runs in 111 Tests at an average of 49.30, in contrast to Babar’s 3772 runs in 49 Tests at an average 47.75. The Pakistan batter has accounted for 26 Test fifties and nine hundreds in the last seven years.

Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam: Who is the best?

Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam, who is the best, is one of the most debatable questions in international cricket. After looking at all the numbers one can conclude that while Kohli is way ahead in terms of experience, however, Babar being junior to him cannot be ignored. With time passing on, the Pakistan batter will be tested every now and then with challenges likely to come his way and build the stature of Kohli across international formats.

Kohli has been a batting mainstay in the Indian team for over a decade and for now, we can concede him the best between the two. But Babar, regarded as the best all-format player in modern-day cricket, will have his say in the coming years.