Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli: Who is the better batsman and why?

Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli: Who is the better batsman and why?

Lenah Ann
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:14 PM

The debate about Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli is one of the biggest topics, especially in the cricketing arena. Even though Kohli debuted earlier in 2008 than Azam, who had his debut match in 2015, the comparison between the two legends is still in voice.

Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli: Who is the better batsman and why? Photo: Martin Keep, Pankaj Nangia (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Regarding limited-overs cricket, Virat and Babar are two of the vast names that often pop up in every fan's mind. Even though certain political struggles have resulted in the blockage of bilateral series between the two nations, it has never hindered the mutual excitement of their fans.

Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli's stats

In terms of Test Cricket, Virat is far ahead of Babar, having played more and also scored more. So far, he has scored 8074 runs in only 102 Tests compared to Azam, who has had 3122 runs in 42 Test matches. Although the batting averages of the two legends are somewhat similar, Kohli has scored 20 more centuries than Azam. Find the players' test comparisons in the table below.

Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli's achievements
Kohli of India smiles after catching out Pat Cummins of Australia during the ICC 2022 Men's T20 World Cup Warm Up match against Australia on 17 October 2022 in Brisbane, Australia. Photo: Albert Perez
Source: Getty Images

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Babar Azam

Virat Kohli

Matches

42

102

Runs

3122

8074

Average

47.3

49.53

Centuries (100s)

7

27

50s

23

28

Highest score

196 vs Aus (2022)

254* vs SA (2019)

While this is still on to Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli's ICC rankings, under Virat's captaincy, India remained at the top position in the ICC ranking for a long time. He has won 40 of the matches out of 68. In fact, India became the runner in ICC Men's Test Championship, while on the other hand, Azam has recently become a new Test Captain and only acted as a skipper in 11 matches.

In terms of T-20 Internationals, Babar has more percentage wins than Kohli. However, both failed to win any ICC event in their captaincy tenure. During Virat's tenure, India won the T20 series in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and West Indies. The table below indicates the legends' captaincy record in the T20s.

Metrics

Virat Kohli

Babar Azam

Matches

50

40

Won

30

26

Lost

16

9

Win %

60%

65%

Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli's ICC ranking
The Pakistani crickreter bats during game six of the T20 International series against Bangladesh at Hagley Oval on 13 October 2022 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo: Joe Allison
Source: Getty Images

Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli in ODIs

In terms of the One Day Internationals, ODI, it is somewhat difficult to compare the two legends, as Azam is still quite a new skipper and only acted as a captain in 9 matches. It is notable that Virat knows his way around the skipper role, as he has captained 95 matches with 65 wins. His percentage is a bit high, 68.42%, as compared to Azam, whose percentage is 44.44%.

Metrics

Virat Kohli

Babar Azam

Matches

95

9

Won

65

4

Lost

27

4

Win %

68.42%

44.44%

Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli's achievements and trophies

Both of these legends have had their fair share of trophies, records, and achievements to their names.

Babar Azam's achievements

Here are some of the legend's achievements since he debuted in the cricket scene.

  • (2010) Made First Class Debut for Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited
  • (2012) Appointed as the captain of the Pakistan Team in the U19 World Cup
  • (2015) Made his One Day International debut against Zimbabwe
  • (2016) Made Test debut in a Day/Night Test match
  • (2017) Reached 1000 ODI runs in 21 innings
  • (2017) Became PCB ODI Player of the Year
  • (2019) Appointed as the T20I Captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team
  • He is the second-fastest Pakistani batsman to reach 1000 runs in ODI cricket
  • He holds the record for scoring the most runs in the first 25 innings of his career
  • He became the fastest batsman to score 7 ODI centuries

Virat Kohli's achievements

As of 19 October 2022, Virat has achieved several vast milestones throughout his career. Some of the achievements include,

  • (2010-2020) Sir Garfield Sobers Award for ICC Men's Cricketer of the Decade
  • (2012, 2017) ICC ODI Player of the Year
  • (2012, 2014, 2016, and 2017) ICC ODI Team of the Year
  • (2013)Arjuna Award
  • (2017, 2018) Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy (ICC Cricketer of the Year)
  • (2017 as captain) ICC Test Team of the Year
  • (2017 Padma Shri
  • (2018) Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna
  • Fastest cricketer in the world to reach 30 and 35 centuries in ODIs
  • Second fastest cricketer in the world to reach 1000 runs in T20Is
  • First Indian cricketer to score three successive centuries in ODIs

Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli's age

Virat Kohli was born on 5 November 1988 in New Delhi, India. Therefore, as of October 2022, he is 33 years. He will be turning 34 years of age in a month. Babar was born on 15 October 1994 in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. As of October 2022, he is 28 years of age.

Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli's net worth and career earnings

Virat's net worth, as of 2022, is estimated to be close to $26 million. He is considered one of the best cricket skippers of all time. Babar's net worth is estimated at $4 million. It might seem like a small figure compared to his colleague, but he is among the top-paid cricketers in Pakistani.

These details settle the Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli debate. There are some awards and achievements to Azam's name that Kholi lacks in his list. Nevertheless, the two are incredible players who have been about their careers since their debuts.

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Authors
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Lenah Ann
Lenah Ann is a Kenyan-based content creator with 2 years of experience. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media and Communication from Dedan Kimathi, Kenya in 2021.