Virat Kohli and Babar Azam are pivotal figures for India and Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Kohli’s exceptional T20 record and Babar’s recent standout performances make them crucial to their teams’ prospects in the tournament.
Statistical Comparison: Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam
The debate between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam has captivated the cricketing world for years, with fans and analysts constantly comparing their skills and achievements. While Kohli made his debut in 2008, Babar’s international journey began in 2015. Both players are known for their elegance and consistency, but they have each achieved greatness in their own right.
Kohli’s impact has been immense, with landmark achievements including leading India to the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. Babar, though younger, rose to prominence by playing a pivotal role in Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy victory.
Let’s take a closer look at how these two batting maestros stack up against each other in all formats, analyzing their statistics and records. From their centuries to their average runs per match, we’ll break down the numbers that make each player a unique force in world cricket.
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli in Test Cricket
In Test cricket, Virat Kohli’s experience far surpasses that of Babar Azam, with Kohli having played 113 matches compared to Babar’s 52. Kohli has accumulated 8848 runs in his Test career, while Babar has scored 3898 runs. Despite both players having similar batting averages, Kohli’s remarkable 27 centuries outshine Babar’s 7, highlighting his dominance and consistency in the longest format. Kohli’s ability to convert starts into big scores has been a hallmark of his Test career, further solidifying his standing as one of the greatest modern-day Test batsmen. While Babar continues to impress, Kohli’s extensive experience and century count give him a clear edge in this format.
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli Test Records:
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50s | 100s |
| Babar Azam | 52 | 3898 | 45.85 | 54.86 | 26 | 9 |
| Virat Kohli | 113 | 8848 | 49.15 | 55.56 | 30 | 29 |
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli in ODI
Virat Kohli holds the record for the fastest player to reach 13,000 runs in ODIs, demonstrating his exceptional consistency and longevity in the format. Meanwhile, Babar Azam has rapidly risen through the ranks, becoming the quickest to reach 5,000 ODI runs. Kohli has accumulated an impressive 50 centuries and 72 fifties in 254 matches, while Babar has notched up 19 centuries and 32 fifties in 117 games. Kohli’s aggressive approach is evident in his higher strike rate of 93.58 compared to Babar’s 88.75. Despite Babar’s rising prominence and impressive consistency, Kohli’s sheer volume of centuries and higher strike rate highlight his dominance and aggressive playing style in one-day internationals.
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli ODI Records:
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50s | 100s |
| Babar Azam | 117 | 5729 | 56.72 | 88.75 | 32 | 19 |
| Virat Kohli | 292 | 13848 | 58.67 | 93.58 | 72 | 50 |
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli in T20I
When it comes to T20Is, the comparison between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam is quite close. Kohli has played 125 matches, scoring 4,188 runs at an impressive average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04, making him the second-highest run scorer in T20I history. On the other hand, Babar has played 123 matches and leads the chart with 4,145 runs, averaging 41.03 with a strike rate of 129.08. Both players have been crucial in T20 cricket, delivering consistent performances and maintaining their relevance in the shortest format of the game. While Kohli’s slightly higher average and strike rate set him apart, Babar’s consistency and leading run tally underline his significance in T20 cricket.
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli T20I Records:
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50s | 100s |
| Babar Azam | 123 | 4145 | 41.03 | 129.08 | 36 | 3 |
| Virat Kohli | 125 | 4188 | 48.69 | 137.04 | 38 | 1 |
