Introduction – Rivalry Explained
The debate of Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam is one of the most exciting rivalries in world cricket. Both are modern-day greats, known for their elegant cover drives, consistency, and ability to win matches under pressure.
- Virat Kohli is already considered one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history.
- Babar Azam is Pakistan’s batting superstar, often called Kohli’s closest competitor.
But who is better in 2025? Let’s break it down with stats, records, Asia Cup numbers, captaincy, and expert opinions.
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam Career Stats (All Formats)
ODIs
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s/50s | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 302 | 14,181 | 57.88 | 51/74 | 183 |
| Babar Azam | 134 | 6,291 | 54.23 | 19/37 | 158 |
👉 Verdict: Kohli leads in runs and centuries, but Babar’s average shows he is not far behind.
Tests
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 123 | 9,230 | 46.85 | 30/31 |
| Babar Azam | 59 | 4235 | 42.77 | 9/29 |
👉 Verdict: Kohli is ahead in Test cricket with centuries and match-winning knocks overseas.
T20Is
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 125 | 4,188 | 48.69 | 137.04 | 1/38 |
| Babar Azam | 128 | 4,223 | 39.83 | 129.22 | 3/36 |
👉 Verdict: Kohli has the better average and big-match temperament, but Babar is more consistent as an opener.
Asia Cup (T20I) Records – Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 10 | 429 | 85.80 | 132.00 | 1/3 |
| Babar Azam | 6 | 68 | 11.33 | 107.93 | 0/0 |
👉 Kohli is the king of Asia Cup, Babar is still building his record.
IPL vs PSL Performance
| Player | Tournament | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | IPL | 267 | 8,661 | 39.54 | 8/63 |
| Babar Azam | PSL | 100 | 3,792 | 44.61 | 2/36 |
👉 Verdict: Kohli dominates in IPL history, but Babar is the face of PSL with unmatched consistency.
Captaincy Records
- Virat Kohli: 213 matches, 135 wins, win % 63.38, Took India to Test dominance overseas.
- Babar Azam: 148 matches, 84 wins, win % 56.75. Took Pakistan to T20 World Cup 2022 final.
👉 Kohli is more successful as captain, especially in Test cricket.
Cover Drive Debate – Who Plays It Better?
Both are known for their iconic cover drives.
- Kohli: Aggressive, powerful, full of intent.
- Babar: Elegant, stylish, considered the “Cover Drive King” by many experts.
👉 Verdict: Purely in terms of beauty, Babar’s cover drive wins.
Fitness & Discipline – Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam
- Virat Kohli: Revolutionized cricket fitness with strict diet and training. Rarely misses a match due to injury.
- Babar Azam: Improving fitness but still behind Kohli’s elite level.
Fan Following & Global Impact
| Player | Instagram Followers | Global Brand Value |
|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 265M+ | Among top 5 richest athletes |
| Babar Azam | 7M+ | Pakistan’s biggest sports star |
👉 Kohli is a global icon. Babar is huge in Pakistan but still far behind internationally.
Expert Opinions on Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam
- Shoaib Akhtar: “Babar is a class player but Kohli is already a legend.”
- Ricky Ponting: “Babar has the talent to match Kohli if he keeps consistency.”
- Harsha Bhogle: “Kohli is the present and past, Babar is the present and future.”
Final Verdict – Who Is Better in 2025?
- Virat Kohli: Already a legend with records across formats, big-match performances, and unmatched fan following.
- Babar Azam: Stylish, consistent, and chasing Kohli’s milestones at a rapid pace.
👉 Answer: Kohli is still ahead overall, but Babar is closing the gap and could be the future king of cricket.
FAQs
Q1: Who has better stats – Kohli or Babar?
👉 Kohli leads in total runs and centuries, Babar leads in average at this stage.
Q2: Who is better in Asia Cup?
👉 Virat Kohli, with three centuries and highest score of 183.
Q3: Who is more consistent in chases?
👉 Virat Kohli is called the “Chase Master”.
Q4: Who is the Cover Drive King – Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam?
👉 Babar Azam’s cover drive is often rated as more elegant.
Q5: Who has bigger fan following?
👉 Virat Kohli, with 265M+ followers, compared to Babar’s 7M+.
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