Ahead of the IND vs PAK match in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the debate of who is the best cricketer Virat Kohli or Babar Azam has been rising to the surface.
On 9th June, India and Pakistan will face each other in the 2024 T20 World Cup Group match 19. If there is a sensitive matter as big as India vs Pakistan then it’s who is the goat, Virat or Babar.
Where Indians are proud of Virat Kohli and often address him as run-machine, run-getter, King of Cricket, and IPL King. People on the other side of boundaries have Babar Azam the greatest batsman in Pakistan cricket history. Babar fans often called him the king of Pakistani cricket.
Not to forget Babar Azam is the one who ended Kohli’s reign of 1,258 days on top of the ODI rankings for batters. Currently, Babar Azam is sitting on top of the ICC batting ranking with 824 points whereas Virat Kohli is in the 3rd position with 768 points.
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam: Who is Best?
In the upcoming T20 World Cup, Babar Azam regained Pakistan’s captaincy and Virat Kohli has been selected for the Indian T20 15-men squad. Fans from India and Pakistan often compare Azam and Kohli and argue who is the best cricketer. So let’s dive into details and know who is the better player Kohli or Azam?
The stats and records of Virat Kohli and Babar Azam for T20, ODI, and Test are as follows:
Also see: Virat Kohli Total Centuries
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam Stats & Record In T20I: Who is Best?
So far, Virat Kohli has played 117 T20I matches while amassing 4037 runs. Kohli has managed to keep his strike rate at 138.15 and an average of 51.75 with an unbeaten 122 highest score.
Speaking of Babar Azam who has played 118 T20 International matches and scored 3987 with a strike rate of 129.91 and an average of 41.1. Babar Azam also equaled the Virat Kolhi’s highest score of 122 runs.
The stats only show Virat Kohli’s T20 International games records minus IPL as Babar Azam couldn’t participate in the league.
The table below shows all of Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam’s overall T20 stats and records-
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam overall T20I Records | |||||||
Player | Mat | Runs | Avg | S/R | 100s | 50s | H/S |
Virat Kohli | 117 | 4,037 | 51.75 | 138.15 | 1 | 37 | 122* |
Babar Azam | 118 | 3,987 | 41.1 | 129.91 | 3 | 36 | 122 |
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam Stats & Record In ODI: Who is Best?
The comparison of Virat Kohli and Babar Azam in the ODI records seems partial. When Babar made his first International debut with the Pakistan cricket team, Virat had already played 150 plus matches and 20+ centuries in his One Day International cricket. Kolhi is also one of the 6 batsmen who scored more than 12,000 runs in his ODI cricket career. Plus Virat Kohli has a record of being 3rd batsman with the longest period of no 1 ODI ranking in the ICC more than three and half years.
Then comes Babar Azam who records the fastest 2,000 ODI runs in just 47 matches. Babar is the fastest batsman to score 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 ODI centuries. So let’s compare Babar Azam and Virat Kohli’s ODI records to see who is better. Kohli or Azam?
Below the table shows overall Virat Kolhi against Babar Azam ODI Cricket records.
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam Overall ODI Records | |||||||
Player | Mat | Runs | Avg | S/R | 100s | 50s | H/S |
Virat Kohli | 292 | 13,848 | 58.67 | 93.58 | 50 | 72 | 183 |
Babar Azam | 117 | 5,729 | 56.72 | 88.75 | 19 | 32 | 158 |
Also Check: India vs Pakistan Head to Head in All Formats
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam Stats & Record In Test: Who is Best?
In Test cricket, Virat Kohli is also unmatchable as he bagged more than 8,000 plus runs with his feat of fastest 7000 runs in one of the longest cricket formats. Virat Kohli also slammed 29 century and 30 fifties. Then we have Babar Azam who hit 9 tons and 26 fifties in his International test cricket career. Azam has the highest score of 196 whereas Kohli bagged unbeaten 254 runs in the test cricket career.
Below the table shows overall Virat Kolhi against Babar Azam Test Cricket records.
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam Overall Test Records | |||||||
Player | Mat | Runs | Avg | S/R | 100s | 50s | H/S |
Virat Kohli | 113 | 8,848 | 49.15 | 55.56 | 29 | 30 | 254* |
Babar Azam | 52 | 3,898 | 45.85 | 54.86 | 9 | 26 | 196 |
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam Captaincy Stats & Record in Test+ODI+T20I Matches: Who is Best Captain?
Former Indian captain Virat Kohli has led the team Blue in 213 matches across all the formats including ODI, Test, and T20 International cricket. Out of 213 matches Virat Kohli won in 135 matches and lost 60.
Speaking of Babar Azam who has been captain of Pakistan’s cricket team in 143 matches. Babar Azam and his team won 82 matches and lost 48 matches across all formats.
The table below has overall Virat Kohli and Babar Azam captaincey records across all formats including ODI, Test, and T20I.
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam Captaincey Record Across all formats | ||||||
Player | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied or NR | Win% | Loss% |
Virat Kohli | 213 | 135 | 60 | 14 | 63.38 | 28.16 |
Babar Azam | 143 | 82 | 48 | 5 | 57.34 | 33.56 |
Undoubtedly, Virat Kohli and Babar Azam are the two modern greatest cricketers, and it’s hard to compare their journeys based on stats and records. Both players have immense passion and love for their country and cricket which is adored by by millions of fans all around the globe.
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FAQs
Q1 Who is the King of Cricket?
Ans Virat Kohli is one of the greatest cricketers and is often addressed as a King of the Cricket by his fans. Kohli has recorded many great feats and he is continuing to become the Greatest Of all Time Cricketers.
Q2 Why Babar Azam wasn’t in the 2024 IPL?
Ans Due to the diplomatic relationship between India and Pakistan, the BCCI banned Pakistani cricketers from participating in the Indian Premier League.
Q3. Who is better Virat Kohli or Babar Azam?
Ans Both Virat Kohli and Babar Azam are two remarkable modern cricketers with impressive stats and records in their cricket careers. However, fans often compare the two to know who is better Kohli or Azam. The comparison between Virat and Babar is not easy as both players have unique styles and have become masters in cricket.
Q4. Who is the greatest batsman in Pakistan?
Ans Babar Azam is the greatest cricketer in Pakistan cricket history with multiple International records and being on top of the ICC ODI ranking for batters.