Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli – Stats Comparison Of T20, ODI and Tests
Both the batters have created multiple records.
India and Pakistan are powerhouses because cricket runs through their veins. Both nations have passionate players who give absolutely everything for the team when it really mattered the most. Besides that, they also have ardent fans who keep cheering them up. While there are plenty of star cricketers from both teams, ‘Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli’ is one of the most widely-talked-about comparisons in the world.
Ever since the U-19 years, both players were destined for greatness, given the way they approached themselves. As a player, Virat Kohli won the ICC ODI World Cup 2011 and ICC Champions Trophy 2013 with Team India. On the other hand, Babar Azam has won ICC Champions Trophy 2017. Both Kohli and Babar are the best players for their respective teams.
These two players haven’t won the ICC T20 World Cup and it remains to be seen whether or not how they would go about their business in the next T20 World Cup which is slated to be held in 2024. It is cognizance of the fact that Virat Kohli is the best player across all three formats but as per recent form, Babar Azam has slightly edged past Virat Kohli.
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli in Test Cricket
There is literally no doubt in mind that both players have dominated all three formats of the game. However, Virat Kohli possesses a truckload of experience compared to Babar Azam in Test cricket. The former Indian captain played over 100 Tests whereas Babar Azam is yet to play 50 Tests.
However, both cricketers have a similar batting average. Kohli scored more centuries and fifties than Babar. Besides that, Kohli has been spectacular even outside the sub-continent conditions. He scored 12 centuries in foreign land whereas Babar Azam scored just one century outside Asia.
| Babar Azam | Virat Kohli | |
| Matches | 47 | 108 |
| Runs | 3696 | 8340 |
| Average | 48.63 | 48.77 |
| Centuries (100s) | 9 | 28 |
| Fifties (50s) | 26 | 28 |
| Personal Best Score | 196 vs Aus (2022) | 254* vs SA (2019) |
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli in ODI Cricket
Switching to the ODI format, both cricketers have had a great deal of success. Virat Kohli is obviously the most experienced cricketer as he has played 174 more ODIs compared to Babar Azam. The Pakistan captain’s batting average is slightly better than Kohli’s. Virat Kohli is not far away from reaching the landmark of 13,000 runs in ODIs.
If Kohli accomplishes the feat in the next few games, he will be the fastest to 13,000 runs in this format whereas Babar Azam is the fastest to reach 5000 ODI runs in 97 innings. Kohli scored 46 centuries and 65 fifties whereas Babar Azam scored 18 centuries and 26 fifties. Moreover, Virat Kohli is the leading run-getter in ODIs among the active cricketers.
| Babar Azam | Virat Kohli | |
| Matches | 100 | 274 |
| Runs | 5089 | 12898 |
| Average | 59.17 | 57.32 |
| Strike Rate | 89.25 | 93.63 |
| Centuries (100s) | 18 | 46 |
| Fifties (50s) | 26 | 65 |
| Personal Best Score | 158 vs Eng (2021) | 183 vs Pak (2012) |
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli in T20I Cricket
Virat Kohli is the leading run-scorer in Twenty20 Internationals with over 4000 runs. On the other hand, Babar Azam scored 3485 runs. Both cricketers played this format with a lot of intent and reaped rewards. They were good at accelerating the innings when it mattered the most.
However, Virat Kohli’s batting average (52.73) is comparatively higher than that of Babar Azam (41.49). Babar Azam has hit more centuries (3) in this format compared to Virat Kohli who hit one century. On the other hand, Kohli scored 37 fifties whereas Babar scored 30 fifties.
| Babar Azam | Virat Kohli | |
| Matches | 104 | 115 |
| Runs | 3485 | 4008 |
| Average | 41.49 | 52.73 |
| Strike Rate | 128.41 | 137.97 |
| Centuries (100s) | 3 | 1 |
| Fifties (50s) | 30 | 37 |
| Personal Best Score | 122 vs SA (2021) | 122* vs AFG (2022) |
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli: IPL and PSL Stats Comparison
Virat Kohli is the leading run-scorer in the history of the Indian Premier League with over 7000 runs in 16 seasons at an average of 37.25. On the other side of the coin, Babar Azam is the leading run-scorer in the history of the Pakistan Super League with 2935 runs in eight seasons at a batting average of 43.80. While Babar Azam represents Peshawar Zalmi, Virat Kohli plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Both players have led the batting attack by example for their respective franchises. Virat Kohli played 237 games in IPL whereas Babar Azam played 79 games in PSL. The former RCB captain hit seven centuries in IPL whereas Babar Azam hit 1 century in PSL. Virat Kohli hit as many as 50 half-centuries whereas Babar Azam hit 28 half-centuries.
| Babar Azam | Virat Kohli | |
| Matches | 79 | 237 |
| Runs | 2935 | 7263 |
| Batting Average | 43.80 | 37.25 |
| Strike Rate | 124.84 | 130.02 |
| Centuries (100s) | 1 | 7 |
| Fifties (50s) | 28 | 50 |
| Sixes | 46 | 234 |
| Fours | 323 | 643 |
| Personal Best Score | 115 vs Quetta (2023) | 113 vs Punjab (2016) |
