“Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam :Who Is the Better Batsman?”

 In today’s cricket world, one of the biggest debates is about who is the better batsman: Virat Kohli or Babar Azam. Both are modern-day greats. They have amazing batting skills, strong consistency, and the ability to dominate bowlers in every format. As fans continue to compare India’s “run machine” with Pakistan’s “classy stroke-maker,” we look closely at their careers, stats, and achievements to see who stands higher in this battle of great batsmen.

Virat Kohli: 

Virat Kohli started his international career in 2008. He grew from a talented youngster into one of the greatest cricketers ever. Kohli is known for his hunger for runs, his incredible fitness, and his aggressive yet smart batting style.

Kohli’s major achievements include:

• Played a key role in India’s 2011 ODI World Cup win

• Won the 2013 Champions Trophy

• Led India to historic Test series wins in Australia

• Won the 2024 T20 World Cup before retiring from T20Is

• Scored more than 84 international centuries

Babar Azam: 

Babar Azam debuted in 2015 and quickly became Pakistan’s top batsman. He is known for his beautiful stroke play and pure batting technique. Over the years, Babar earned the captaincy in all formats.

Babar’s major achievements include:

• Part of Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy win

• Fastest to many ODI run milestones

• Reached World No.1 ODI batsman

• Scored 30+ international centuries

• One of the most consistent PSL batsmen

Batting Statistics: By the Numbers

Test Cricket: 

Here is a comparison of their Test records:

Category	Virat Kohli	Babar Azam
Matches	123	61
Runs	9,230	4,366
Average	46.85	42.38
Centuries	30	9
Fifties	31	30
Highest Score	254* vs SA	196 vs Aus

Key Point: Kohli has many centuries outside Asia, showing he can perform in all conditions. Babar has fewer big scores outside the subcontinent.

ODI Cricket: 

Category	Virat Kohli	Babar Azam
Matches	308	140
Runs	14,557	6,501
Average	58.46	53.89
Strike Rate	93.26	87.57
Centuries	53	20
Fifties	76	37
Highest Score	183 vs Pak	158 vs Eng

Key Point: Kohli is famous for outstanding run chases. Babar, however, is the fastest to several ODI run milestones like 5,000 runs.

T20I Cricket: 

Category	Virat Kohli	Babar Azam
Matches	125	136
Runs	4,188	4,429
Average	48.69	39.5
Strike Rate	137.04	128.99
Centuries	1	3
Highest Score	122* vs AFG	122 vs SA

Key Point: Babar has more runs and more centuries, but Kohli has a better average and strike rate. Kohli ended his T20I career after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Major Records and Milestones

Virat Kohli’s Major Records

• Over 84 international centuries (2nd only to Tendulkar)

• Fastest to 8k, 9k, 10k, 11k, and 14k ODI runs

• Most ODI centuries in run chases

• Most Player of the Match awards in T20 World Cups

• Leading run-scorer in IPL history

• Only player to average 50+ in all formats at the same time (at one point)

Babar Azam’s Major Records

• Fastest to 1k, 2k, and 5k ODI runs

• Highest run-scorer in T20Is (surpassed Rohit Sharma in 2025)

• Highest ODI average for a Pakistani batsman

• Most consistent batsman in PSL history

• Longest streak as No.1 ODI batsman

• Fastest Pakistani to 3,000 Test runs

Performance in Pressure Situations

Virat Kohli: 

Kohli is famous for performing under pressure:

• His 82* vs Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup is legendary

• Important knocks in the 2014 T20 WC semi-final and final

• Match-winning 82* vs Australia in 2016 T20 WC

• Many crucial innings in the 2023 ODI World Cup

• Many big performances in IPL playoffs

Babar Azam: 

Babar has shown promise in big matches:

• Led Pakistan to the 2022 T20 WC final

• Scored a key fifty in the 2017 Champions Trophy final

• Match-winning century vs New Zealand

• Played several important Test innings

But overall, he hasn’t matched Kohli’s pressure performances yet.

ICC Tournament Performance

Virat Kohli: 

Kohli’s ICC record is excellent:

• Two-time Player of the Tournament (2014, 2016)

• Star performer in 2011, 2019, and 2023 ODI World Cups

• Key role in 2013 and 2025 Champions Trophy

• Average above 60 across ICC events

Babar Azam: 

• Led Pakistan to the 2022 T20 WC final

• Good in 2021 T20 WC

• Average around 40 in ICC events — not bad, but far from Kohli

Consistency and Temperament

Virat Kohli: 

Kohli is known for:

• Fighting back strongly after failures

• Thriving in pressure

• Aggressive but controlled approach

• Excellent fitness

• Ability to adapt to conditions

Babar Azam: 

Babar is:

• Quiet and calm at the crease

• Technically solid

• Patient in building innings

• Elegant in tough conditions

Expert Opinions

Many cricket experts share their views:

• Mohammad Amir: “Kohli is the greatest of this generation.”

• R. Ashwin: “Kohli's performances under pressure are unmatched.”

• Kamran Akmal: “Comparing Babar to Kohli is foolish. Kohli is a global role model."

Recent Form and Evolution

Virat Kohli: 

Kohli came back stronger after a lean patch:

• Outstanding 2023 ODI World Cup

• Key role in 2024 T20 WC win

• Continued good form in Tests and IPL

Babar Azam: 

Babar is adding new skills:

• Better T20 strike rate

• Working on power hitting

• Rotating strike more

• Improving leadership

Batting Technique and Style

Virat Kohli: 

• Strong against pace

• Great with strike rotation

• Wide range of shots

• Excellent fitness and running

Babar Azam: 

• Beautiful cover drive

• Smooth, stylish stroke play

• Strong wrist work

• Very good against spin

Comprehensive Comparison: Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam

Aspect	Virat Kohli	Babar Azam
Career Span	2008–Present	2015–Present
Total Runs	28,000+	15,000+
International Centuries	84+	32+
Test Avg	46.85	42.38
ODI Avg	58.46	53.89
T20I Avg	48.69	39.5
ICC Trophies	4	1
Pressure Performance	Exceptional	Very Good
Adaptability	Excellent	Good
Technique	Aggressive & Modern	Elegant & Classical
ODI Ranking	4	6
Test Ranking	22	17
T20 Ranking	Retired	4

Conclusion: 

After looking at all the stats, achievements, and performances, Virat Kohli comes out as the better batsman overall. His consistency across formats, huge number of centuries, and amazing performances under pressure put him ahead.

However, Babar Azam is still one of the best batsmen in the world and has many years ahead to achieve even more. He may challenge some of Kohli’s records in the future, especially in ODIs.

Both players are world-class, and cricket fans are lucky to watch them play.

"While statistics favor Virat Kohli, Babar Azam’s elegance, classical technique, and rapidly rising career suggest that the gap between these two modern batting masters may narrow in the coming years. Cricket fans are truly lucky to witness two extraordinary talents shaping the game today."

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs):

1. Who has better technique?

Babar has more classical technique, especially his cover drive. Kohli has modern, aggressive, and adaptable technique. Both are excellent in their own way.

2. Who is fitter?

Kohli is considered the fittest cricketer in the world. His fitness transformed Indian cricket. Babar is fit too, but Kohli is at another level.

3. Who performs better under pressure?

Kohli performs better in high-pressure games, especially knockouts. Babar is improving but not at Kohli’s level yet.

4. Can Babar break Kohli’s records?

It is possible but extremely difficult. Kohli’s 84+ centuries set a very high standard. Babar may break some ODI-related records.

5. Who is the better captain?

Kohli has a better captaincy record, especially in Test cricket. Babar has been good in white ball cricket but not as successful in Tests.