Virat Kohli’s illustrious record firmly places him as one of the preeminent batsmen in world cricket today. The former Indian captain boasts an impressive Test average just shy of 50 (49.15) across 113 red-ball matches, amassing 8848 runs, which include 29 centuries and 30 half-centuries. This remarkable consistency in the longest format of the game speaks volumes about his adaptability and prowess.
Transitioning to the shortest format, Kohli recently retired from T20 Internationals, leaving behind a legacy of dominance. Highlighting his career in T20Is, he was honored as the Player of the Tournament in both the 2014 and 2016 ICC Men’s T20 World Cups and was named Player of the Match in the final of the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup. Over his T20I career, Kohli maintained an average above 50, playing in 125 matches and accumulating 4188 runs. Notably, his strike rate of 137.04 demonstrates his ability to score swiftly without compromising on consistency. He registered one century and 38 fifties in the format, further solidifying his position as a T20 great.
In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Kohli’s performance is unmatched among contemporary cricketers with comparable longevity. He has amassed a staggering 13906 runs at an average of 58.18, decorated with 50 centuries—more hundreds than any other active player in world cricket. These statistics not only underline his extraordinary talent but also his immense contribution to India’s success in ODIs over the years.
Contrasting Kohli’s achievements is Pakistan’s Babar Azam, another formidable player who has earned respect in the international cricket community. However, Babar’s career has not yet reached the extensive length that Kohli’s has. In 54 Test matches, Babar has scored 3962 runs at an average of 44.21, which includes nine centuries and 26 half-centuries.
In the T20I arena, Babar Azam has a respectable average of 41.03 but with a slightly lower strike rate of 129.08.
. Throughout his T20I career, Babar has scored 4145 runs, displaying consistency and stability in the shortest format of the game. In ODIs, Babar has accumulated 5729 runs from 117 games at an average of 56.72, bolstered by 19 centuries and 32 half-centuries.
Despite Babar’s impressive numbers, former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria believes the comparison between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam is “unfair.” Kaneria shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview with India TV, emphasizing Kohli’s monumental stature in the cricketing world.
“The media makes an unfair comparison between Babar and Virat Kohli. Virat has scored truckloads of runs for India across formats and in different conditions. He has won India many games. He is a world-class player. There is no comparison between the two,” Kaneria expressed firmly.
Kaneria elaborated further, noting that Kohli has consistently delivered in varying conditions and formats, contributing significantly to India’s victories. His statement underlines the importance of recognizing the context in which players accumulate their records.
Moreover, Kaneria stressed that such comparisons would be more justified once both players retire from international cricket, allowing a full assessment of their careers. “You should make these comparisons based on their stats after the players retire,” Kaneria concluded.
The discourse around comparing active players is ubiquitous in sports, but as Kaneria pointed out, it often lacks fairness due to differing career lengths and circumstances. Both Kohli and Babar have their unique styles and strengths, which have brought them success on the international stage. However, Kohli’s extensive and decorated career undeniably sets a high bar for current and future cricketers.
For now, cricket enthusiasts around the world continue to enjoy the performances of both these exceptional players. Whether it’s Kohli’s aggressive yet methodical approach or Babar’s elegant stroke play, both cricketers have etched their names in the annals of cricket history, offering countless memorable moments for fans globally.
Watch the full interview with Danish Kaneria here.
