Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam ODI Numbers

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam [X.com]

To the delight of cricket fans across the globe, the much-awaited Asia Cup 2023 is all set to kick-start on August 30, with Pakistan taking on Nepal in the tournament opener in Multan. While there are several names to watch out for, all eyes will be on Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, set to spearhead the batting units of India and Pakistan, respectively. 

Hailed for their exemplary batsmanship, Kohli and Babar have been consistently compared with each other since the latter's debut in international cricket. So, as both gear up for the Asia Cup 2023, let's see how the stats justify the comparison. 

Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam Rivalry

Regarded as one of the finest-ever batters to grace the game, Virat Kohli was the undisputed champion in Asia till 2015-2016. However, as soon as Babar Azam made his international debut in 2015, people from both sides of the Indo-Pak border started spotting similarities in their batting. 

As soon as Azam attained his peak in 2019, Kohli suffered a massive slump in batting form, opening doors for his critics to debate over his legacy. Since then, both players have constantly been compared with each other, with their fans arguing in favour of their respective players on social media. 

---

ALSO READ

Jasprit Bumrah vs Shaheen Afridi ODI Numbers

---

Virat Kohli In ODI Cricket

Virat Kohli is a legend in ODIs [X.com]

Virat Kohli received his maiden ODI call-up soon after he led the Indian team to the title in the 2008 under-19 World Cup. After debuting in a bilateral series against Sri Lanka, Kohli gradually climbed the ladder, establishing himself as a vital cog in the ODI setup during the 2010 Asia Cup. Since then, he has been an absolute legend in the 50-over format, leading India to many memorable victories. 

Virat Kohli's numbers in ODIs

Virat Kohli 's numbers in ODIs against different countries

Virat Kohli’s Strengths

• Chase Master: Virat Kohli's rich legacy is primarily defined by his ability to thrive while chasing. The batter has ensured numerous incredible victories for team India, acing high-pressure chases. 
• Converting ones into twos: Besides being a prolific batter, Kohli has been an exceptional athlete and is known for his ability to score plenty of runs through strike rotation. 
• Ability to accelerate once set: Virat Kohli is one of the most dangerous batters for every opposition once he gets set. He can change gears with ease and score briskly towards the backend of the innings. 

Babar Azam In ODI Cricket

Babar Azam in action [X.com]

On the other hand, Babar Azam made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in Lahore in 2015 after impressing through the ranks in the domestic circuit. Overall, he has featured in 103 ODIs, amassing 5202 runs at an outstanding average of 58.44 and a strike rate of 88.81. 

Babar Azam's numbers in ODIs

Babar Azam 's numbers in ODIs against different countries

Babar Azam’s Strengths

• Excellent player of pace: Babar Azam is an incredible player of raw pace, unlike most of his predecessors. Known for his exceptional back-foot game, Babar is a fantastic hitter of high-pace hit-the-deck bowling. 
• Consistency: Babar Azam is praised for his consistency, especially in ODI cricket. Considering the vulnerability of Pakistan's middle order, it won't be wrong to tag Babar as a lone warrior with the bat.

Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam ODI Numbers

As evident from the stats presented above, there isn't much difference between the averages of Kohli and Babar, with the latter having a slight advantage over the former. However, Kohli has maintained such an incredible record even after playing 279 matches, more than twice the games Babar has played so far. 

Also, the Indian stalwart has scored at a significantly better rate than his Pakistani counterpart. So, all we can say at the moment is Babar is a gifted batter, but he has to go a long way to achieve the greatness of Virat Kohli. 

---

ALSO READ

Rohit Sharma vs Fakhar Zaman ODI Numbers

---