Debunking stats: 3 huge factors that make Rohit Sharma a better T20I batter than Babar Azam

Babar Azam went past Rohit Sharma in T20Is [Source: AFP]

Pakistan's premier batter Babar Azam scripted history on Friday night, as he surpassed Rohit Sharma to become the leading run-getter in T20 Internationals (T20Is). Although Babar crawled his way to an 18-ball 11*, he managed to go past Rohit and claim the first position on the list of highest run-getters in T20I cricket. 

So, as things stand, Babar Azam is statistically the most successful T20I batter of all time with the most runs in the format. But stats can also be deceptive, and here are three factors that make Rohit Sharma a better batter than the Pakistan great in T20Is. 

Rohit's superior strike rate trumps Babar's average

(Babar and Rohit in T20I cricket)

As evidenced by the above stats, Babar Azam has a higher average than Rohit Sharma in T20Is. While Babar has scored 39.57 runs per dismissal, Rohit has 32.05 runs per wicket. But here's a catch. Rohit's strike rate of 140.85 suggests that he takes around 23 balls to score these many runs; Babar has played almost 31 deliveries on average to score those 39 runs. 

In fact, Babar Azam has the second-worst scoring rate after Mohammad Rizwan among the top ten scorers in T20I cricket. Teams get only 120 balls in T20Is; so, a batter who plays more than five overs to score less than 40 runs per innings certainly can't be considered a more impactful batter than someone who scores 32 quick runs and gives his teammates some extra deliveries to capitalise on. 

Rohit's impact in ICC T20 World Cups

(Rohit vs Babar in T20 World Cups)

• Rohit Sharma has amassed 1220 runs at an average of around 35, while Babar averages just over 36, recording a miserable strike rate of 111.35 in T20 World Cups. 
• This suggests that Babar has been less impactful than Rohit, who has scored just one run less per innings on average, with a much superior strike rate in T20 World Cups. This further highlights that Rohit plays with a more aggressive intent even at the biggest stage, while Babar's timid approach has proved costly for Pakistan in the marquee tournament. 
• Be it the 2007 World Cup, where a young Rohit Sharma played game-breaking knocks against South Africa and Pakistan, or the previous edition, where he emerged as India's highest scorer with 257 runs at an average of 36.71 and a strike rate of 156.71, the Hitman has been a match-winner for India in the shortest format. 
• Babar, on the other hand, has only two fifties against quality opponents, even averaging 17.71 in 2022 and having a strike rate of less than a hundred in the 2024 edition. 
• So, based on impact in T20 World Cups, Rohit Sharma comfortably clears Babar Azam across all fronts. 

The Rohit Sharma fear factor

Rohit Sharma is one of the most gifted batters of all time. Apart from an elite back-foot game, Rohit's exquisite timing, power-hitting and ability to play all around the park make him a genuine threat for every opposition. 

The talismanic cricketer can also torment the spinners with authoritative sweeps and glorious lofted shots over the V region. We all remember his belligerent 118 that came in just 43 balls against Sri Lanka, as well as the magnificent 41-ball 92 against Australia, while Babar doesn't have such outrageous knocks in his CV. So, the fear factor that Rohit brings is actually unmatched and ranks him a touch higher than Babar as a force to reckon with in T20I cricket. 

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