Virat Kohli and Babar Azam will be crucial for their respective nations (Source: AP Photos)
Babar Azam and Virat Kohli are two of the leading batters in world cricket. They are quality players of all three formats, but without doubt, ODI is the best format for both of them. The Champions Trophy is now around the corner, so the expectations from both of them are quite high and they would be crucial for their respective nations.
However, both of them have not been at their best in recent forms and it has been a bit of worry for fans from both the nations. Over the years, there has been a constant comparison between the two, and though Virat Kohli has played lot more and score way more runs than Babar Azam, the Pakistan star has also shown great consistency. So, considering different parameters, let's try to analyze who can score more runs in Champions Trophy 2025.
1. Better Batting Wickets For Babar Azam Compared To Virat Kohli
The wickets in Pakistan are generally good for batting and top-order batters tend to get big score there compared to the wickets in Dubai which are not known to be batting paradise. This could help Babar Azam in scoring as he would play most of the games in his country compared to Virat Kohli who would have to tackle tricky conditions in Dubai.
The average first innings scores in Karachi and Rawalpindi are 239 and 242 respectively while at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium it comes down to 218. Also, there have been chases over 300 both at the National Stadium, Karachi and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium while no team has chased a score over 300 in Dubai.
Babar Azam's Record In Pakistan
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Matches | 24 |
| Runs | 1504 |
| Average | 68.36 |
| 100/50s | 7/8 |
Babar Azam also has brilliant record at home as he has scored 1504 runs in just 24 innings at an average of 68.36. He has seven centuries and eight fifties in it which shows the consistency with which he delivers at home and we can expect him to fire again.
Virat Kohli, on the other hand, has not played a single ODI in U.A.E and as the pitches in Dubai are expected to bit slow and offer some turn, Virat Kohli would have to work harder. He also has struggled again spin in recent past and so looking at the conditions and past record, Babar Azam seem to be in better position to score runs than Virat Kohli.
2. Babar Azam In Better Form Than Virat Kohli
Babar Azam has not been in great form in the last year or so, but it is still better than Virat Kohli. The Pakistan star played six ODIs in 2024 where he scored 228 runs at an average of 57 and hit two fifties and it included two unbeaten knocks. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, played three ODIs where he could muster just 58 runs at an average of 19.33.
If we look at the stats across formats in 2024, Babar Azam is ahead there too with 1168 runs in 35 matches at an average of 32.44 with nine fifties. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, scored 655 runs in 23 matches at an average of 21.83 which includes one hundred and two fifties.
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli: Stats Across Formats In 2024
| Criterion | Babar Azam | Virat Kohli |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 35 | 23 |
| Runs | 1168 | 655 |
| Average | 32.44 | 21.83 |
| 100/50s | 0/9 | 1/2 |
So, Virat Kohli clearly has struggled more than Babar Azam in recent past and the only sliver lining for the Indian star is that he scored a fifty in the third ODI against England which would give him a bit of confidence. Babar despite twin failures in tri-series still has better average in 2025 if we consider stats across formats and thus it won't be a surprise if he ends up scoring more than Virat Kohli.
3. Kohli Likely To Play More Riskier Brand Of Cricket
India is a team that has been playing aggressive brand of cricket in white-ball format in recent times. It sometimes force players to play aggressively that they normally do and Virat Kohli who likes to take his time initially and then build on it might have to play more aggressively. As India have a stable batting line-up and proven performers in middle overs, Kohli can afford to take that risk and get out of his comfort zone.
Pakistan's batting line-up is known to be volatile and a lot depend on Babar Azam's presence. So, he needs to stay in the crease for a longer time and he can afford to compromise with his strike-rate a bit as compared to Virat Kohli who might face the pressure of scoring runs at a brisk rate. Thus, Babar would get the luxury of playing less risky brand of cricket and it might end up helping him score more runs than Virat Kohli in Champions Trophy 2025.
 "Aashay Chopade")
