Babar Azam and Virat Kohli are two prominent batters in modern international cricket. Both are right-handed players known for their timing, stroke play, and ability to build important innings. Although they represent Pakistan and India respectively, their careers are frequently compared because of their performances across international formats.
Virat Kohli made his international debut in 2008, while Babar Azam made his international debut in 2015. Kohli has a longer international career and an extensive record of runs, centuries, and major tournament performances. Babar has established himself as one of Pakistan’s leading batters, particularly through his consistency in limited-overs cricket.
The comparison between Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli involves more than simply counting runs. Batting average, strike rate, centuries, match situations, opposition, format, and career length all help explain their records.
This article explores their career backgrounds, format-wise performances, batting styles, major achievements, and frequently asked questions.
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli: Player Profiles
| Player Detail | Babar Azam | Virat Kohli |
| Full Name | Mohammad Babar Azam | Virat Kohli |
| Country | Pakistan | India |
| Playing Role | Batter | Batter |
| Batting Style | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| International Debut | 2015 | 2008 |
| Main Strengths | Timing, placement, stroke play | Chase batting, consistency, aggressive stroke play |
| International Formats | Test, ODI and T20I | Test, ODI and T20I career records |
| Notable Achievement | Pakistan’s leading modern-era batter | One of India’s most prolific international batters |
Both players have built their reputations through high-level performances, although they have competed in different teams and cricketing environments.
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli Career Stats
Career statistics provide a useful way to compare the players’ achievements. However, their numbers must be read in context because Kohli began his international career seven years before Babar.
Kohli has accumulated a larger body of international experience and has played more innings across formats. Babar’s career is still developing, so his statistics can change as he continues playing.
For the latest recorded figures, readers can check the official Babar Azam ICC player profile and Virat Kohli ICC player profile.
| Comparison Factor | Babar Azam | Virat Kohli |
| International career began | 2015 | 2008 |
| Batting hand | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Test cricket | Active career record | Retired from Tests |
| ODI cricket | Active career record | Continues to play ODIs |
| T20 International cricket | Active career record | Retired from T20Is |
| Career stage | Still building his record | Established long-term career record |
Exact totals should be checked against the latest official profiles because career statistics change, and figures from older articles may no longer be current.
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli in Test Cricket
Test cricket is a major examination of a batter’s technique, patience, concentration, and ability to adjust to changing pitch conditions.
Virat Kohli played Test cricket for India from 2011 until his retirement from the format in 2025. His Test career included major performances in Australia, England, South Africa, and India.
Babar Azam has also produced important Test innings for Pakistan. His technique allows him to play a range of conventional shots, particularly through the covers and on the leg side.
Virat Kohli’s Test Career
Kohli’s Test record features substantial run-scoring and numerous centuries. He has scored 9,230 Test runs, with 30 centuries and a highest score of 254, according to the career figures displayed in the ICC comparison sources.
His Test batting has included long innings in which he combined defensive discipline with scoring opportunities. Kohli’s performances as captain also formed a significant part of India’s Test history during his leadership period.
Babar Azam’s Test Career
Babar’s Test career has included several valuable innings against high-quality bowling attacks. His highest Test score is 196, an innings that demonstrated his ability to bat for extended periods.
Babar has shown that he can build innings through timing and placement rather than depending exclusively on power hitting. Like many batters, his results have varied according to opposition, conditions, and recent form.
Test Cricket Comparison
The available career records show Kohli with more Test runs and centuries. However, the two players’ careers have covered different periods, and Kohli has played more Test matches.
A fair comparison should consider the number of matches played, batting average, opposition quality, home and away conditions, and the role each player held in the team.
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli in ODI Cricket
One-Day International cricket is a particularly interesting format for comparing these players. Both have been important top-order batters for their national teams, and both have produced substantial scores in bilateral series and major tournaments.
Virat Kohli’s ODI Record
Kohli is widely recognized for his ODI run-scoring and ability to build successful chases. He has scored more than 15,000 ODI runs and has recorded over 50 ODI centuries in the career statistics published by the ICC.
His ODI approach often combines a steady start with increased scoring as the innings develops. He is particularly known for rotating the strike, finding gaps, and accelerating when the required run rate rises.
Kohli’s performances in major tournaments, including the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup, are important parts of his ODI legacy.
Babar Azam’s ODI Record
Babar has developed a strong ODI record through consistency, shot selection, and the ability to build partnerships. His highest ODI score is 158, and he has reached the milestone of 20 ODI centuries in the published career comparisons.
His style relies on timing and placement, particularly when working the ball through the off side. Babar can also accelerate through boundaries when conditions allow.
ODI Comparison Table
| ODI Metric | Babar Azam | Virat Kohli |
| Batting Style | Timing and placement | Timing, placement and chase management |
| Highest ODI Score | 158 | 183 |
| ODI Centuries | 20 in the cited comparison | More than 50 in the ICC career record |
| Career Stage | Active ODI career | Active ODI career |
| Notable Strength | Building top-order innings | Large run totals and successful chases |
The exact number of matches, runs, and centuries may change as both players’ records are updated. The official ICC profiles provide a reliable starting point for checking the latest figures.
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli in T20 International Cricket
T20 International cricket places greater emphasis on scoring speed, boundary hitting, strike rotation, and making effective decisions under time pressure.
Both players have delivered important performances in T20Is, but their records reflect different stages of their careers.
Babar Azam’s T20I Performance
Babar has been a regular part of Pakistan’s T20I batting lineup and has scored several major innings at the top of the order. His T20I style often focuses on building a stable foundation before increasing the scoring rate.
He has also registered multiple T20I centuries in his international career. His effectiveness depends on the match situation, the quality of the bowling attack, and how quickly he can turn starts into substantial scores.
Virat Kohli’s T20I Performance
Kohli retired from T20 International cricket after India’s 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup victory. During his T20I career, he was known for his consistency, ability to chase targets, and performances in high-pressure matches.
He scored 4,188 T20I runs and recorded an average of approximately 48.7 in the ICC career figures. His highest T20I score was 122 not out.
Kohli’s T20I record is particularly associated with his ability to manage run chases while keeping wickets in hand.
T20I Comparison
The two players have different T20I career timelines because Kohli has retired from the format, while Babar’s career figures can continue to change.
A useful comparison should include batting average, strike rate, runs per innings, boundary frequency, and performance in major tournaments. Total runs alone do not explain how effectively a player scores in different match situations.
Batting Style: Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli
Although both players are right-handed top-order batters, their styles have individual characteristics.
Babar Azam’s Batting Technique
Babar is known for smooth timing, balanced footwork, and elegant stroke play. He often looks to place the ball into gaps and build innings through conventional cricket shots.
His cover drives and off-side strokes are frequently highlighted when discussing his technique. He can maintain a steady scoring rate without taking unnecessary risks, particularly in longer formats.
In limited-overs cricket, Babar’s challenge is often to balance his natural approach with the need to accelerate quickly in the later stages of an innings.
Virat Kohli’s Batting Technique
Kohli is known for his disciplined approach to chasing targets, strong placement, and ability to score consistently through singles and boundaries.
He often adjusts his approach according to the required run rate. This ability to manage a chase has become one of the defining aspects of his ODI and T20I reputation.
Kohli also uses running between the wickets effectively, allowing him to maintain pressure on fielding teams even when boundaries are less frequent.
Main Differences
Babar’s game is often associated with fluent timing and classical stroke play. Kohli’s is frequently associated with chase management, intensity, and sustained run-scoring.
These descriptions are broad tendencies rather than absolute rules. Both players can adapt their approach to different formats, pitches, and match situations.
Major Records and Achievements
Babar Azam’s Achievements
Babar’s career has included important milestones for Pakistan across international formats.
His achievements include:
- Establishing himself as a leading Pakistan batter across Test, ODI, and T20I cricket.
- Scoring centuries in multiple international formats.
- Producing major innings in bilateral series and ICC events.
- Serving as Pakistan captain during several international campaigns.
- Developing a reputation for technical consistency and elegant stroke play.
His career remains an ongoing record, so further achievements and statistical milestones may be added.
Virat Kohli’s Achievements
Kohli’s international career includes major individual milestones and important team achievements.
His accomplishments include:
- Scoring more than 9,000 Test runs.
- Scoring more than 15,000 ODI runs in the ICC career record.
- Recording over 50 ODI centuries.
- Winning the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup with India.
- Producing 765 runs in the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup, a record tournament tally.
- Becoming one of India’s most prolific run-scorers across formats.
His long international career has included performances in different conditions, formats, and major tournaments.
Who Has More Centuries: Babar Azam or Virat Kohli?
Kohli has more international centuries overall in the published career comparisons. His longer career and greater number of international innings are important factors when interpreting that difference.
Babar has also scored centuries across international formats and continues to add to his record.
To compare centuries fairly, it is useful to separate Test, ODI, and T20I cricket. Each format has different demands, and a century in a Test match involves a different innings structure from a hundred in a T20 International.
Readers should use current official records when checking exact totals because those numbers can change, particularly for an active player.
Who Has the Better ODI Record?
Kohli has a larger ODI run total and more ODI centuries in the available career statistics. His record also includes a strong history of successful run chases and major-tournament performances.
Babar has developed a high-quality ODI record of his own, with a strong batting average and the ability to produce substantial top-order innings.
The comparison depends on the criteria being used. Total runs and centuries reflect accumulated output, while batting average, strike rate, match context, and opposition provide additional insight into performance.
Captaincy Comparison
Both players have served as captains of their national teams.
Kohli captained India across formats and was particularly associated with India’s Test cricket during his leadership period. His tenure included significant overseas performances and an emphasis on competitive fast bowling.
Babar captained Pakistan in international cricket and led the team through multiple major tournaments. His captaincy was evaluated through team results, tactical decisions, and performances in high-pressure matches.
Captaincy statistics should be separated by format because the demands of Test, ODI, and T20I leadership differ. Team results also depend on the wider squad, opposition, conditions, and available resources rather than an individual captain alone.
Playing Under Pressure
Pressure performance is an important subject in cricket comparisons, but it can be difficult to measure through a single statistic.
Kohli has produced several high-profile innings in successful run chases, including performances in ICC tournaments. His ability to calculate the required rate and maintain partnerships is often associated with his reputation in limited-overs cricket.
Babar has also played important innings in international matches and tournament campaigns. His ability to anchor an innings can help stabilize a batting lineup, particularly when early wickets fall.
For a data-based comparison, readers can examine runs scored in successful chases, knockout matches, matches against top-ranked opposition, and innings played under specific target conditions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Babar Azam?
Babar Azam is a Pakistani international cricketer known for his right-handed batting and performances across Test, ODI, and T20I formats.
2. Who is Virat Kohli?
Virat Kohli is an Indian international cricketer and one of the country’s leading run-scorers. He has represented India in all three international formats.
3. Who made their international debut first?
Virat Kohli made his international debut in 2008, while Babar Azam made his international debut in 2015.
4. Who has scored more ODI runs?
Virat Kohli has scored more ODI runs in the published ICC career record. For the latest total, consult his official ICC profile.
5. Who has more ODI centuries?
Virat Kohli has more ODI centuries than Babar Azam in the available career records.
6. What is Babar Azam’s highest ODI score?
Babar Azam’s highest ODI score is 158.
7. What is Virat Kohli’s highest ODI score?
Virat Kohli’s highest ODI score is 183.
8. Has Virat Kohli retired from T20I cricket?
Yes. Kohli announced his retirement from T20 International cricket after India’s 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup victory.
9. Has Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket?
Yes. Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket in May 2025.
10. Are Babar Azam and Virat Kohli still playing ODI cricket?
The latest career profiles identify both players with ODI career records. Check their official profiles for the most recent playing status and statistics.
11. Why are Babar Azam and Virat Kohli frequently compared?
They are both prominent right-handed top-order batters from neighbouring cricket nations. Their batting records, technique, and performances in international cricket have made them common subjects of comparison.
12. Where can I check their official career statistics?
The ICC player profiles for Babar Azam and Virat Kohli provide career information and format-specific statistics. These profiles are useful for checking updated records.
Conclusion
Babar Azam and Virat Kohli have established notable international careers through different playing styles, team responsibilities, and career timelines.
Kohli’s longer career has produced a larger international run total and a particularly extensive ODI record. Babar has built a strong reputation for timing, technique, and consistent top-order batting, and his career remains ongoing.
Comparing them across Test, ODI, and T20I cricket offers a clearer picture than relying on a single overall statistic. Runs, averages, strike rates, centuries, match situations, and opposition all contribute to a more complete assessment.
For the most accurate comparison, readers should consult current ICC statistics and consider the context behind each player’s achievements rather than judging their careers on one number alone.