Virat Kohli’s illustrious record in cricket marks him as one of the greatest batters in the modern era. The former Indian captain has been an all-format powerhouse, displaying unparalleled consistency across various forms of the game. His statistics and accolades present a compelling case, elevating him to a league where few have ventured.
In Test cricket, Kohli’s performance is impressive, with an average just shy of 50 (49.15) in 113 red-ball games. He has amassed 8848 runs, composed of 29 centuries and 30 half-centuries. At 35, although he has retired from T20 Internationals, his dominance in that format remains undisputed. Kohli was named the Player of the Tournament at both the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2014 and 2016 and also clinched the Player of the Match title in the final of the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup. Over his T20I career, he boasted an average of over 50 and ended with 4188 runs in 125 matches, including a century and 38 fifties, with a striking rate of 137.04. This strike rate, when considered alongside his average, highlights his impressive ability to maintain consistency without sacrificing scoring speed.
Kohli’s One Day International (ODI) record is even more formidable. With 13906 runs at a staggering average of 58.18, including 50 centuries, he has set a benchmark that has so far been unmatched by any active cricketer with a comparable career span. His distinguished accomplishments underscore his significant contribution to Indian cricket and cement his status as a cricketing legend.
On the other hand, Pakistani cricketer Babar Azam, while showing promise and talent, has not yet achieved the same longevity or accolades as Kohli. In 54 Test matches, Babar has scored 3962 runs at an average of 44.21, including nine centuries and 26 fifty-plus scores. In T20Is, Babar holds an average of 41.03, accumulating 4145 runs from 104 matches, although he has a lower strike rate of 129.
.08. His ODI statistics are commendable as well, with 5729 runs in 117 games at an average of 56.72, featuring 19 centuries and 32 fifties.
These statistics indicate that while Babar is certainly a skilled and developing player, Kohli’s achievements place him in a different category. Former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria echoed this sentiment in an exclusive interview with India TV. Kaneria emphasized that the comparison between Kohli and Babar is currently unfair given the vast difference in their careers and contributions to the sport.
“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 stated. He further articulated that Kohli’s stature as an all-format player, with significant success in varied conditions and against diverse oppositions, makes him a unique cricketing figure.
Kaneria also expressed that it would be more sensible to make such comparisons only after both players have concluded their international careers: “You should make these comparisons based on their stats after the players retire,” Kaneria added. This perspective underlines the evolving nature of cricket careers and acknowledges that while Babar is on an upward trajectory, his accomplishments must be viewed in the context of an evolving narrative rather than through direct juxtaposition with Kohli’s storied tenure.
The debate around Kohli and Babar highlights the passion and intensity with which cricket lovers follow the sport. Both players have sizeable followings and their performances ignite discussions globally. For now, however, Kohli’s established legacy sets a benchmark that Babar aspires to reach.
As cricket continues to evolve, players like Babar will undoubtedly have multiple opportunities to carve out their own niche and potentially match, if not surpass, the benchmarks set by icons like Kohli. Until then, the examination of their careers offers a fascinating look into the making of cricket legends and the metrics by which greatness is measured.
To watch the full exclusive interview with Danish Kaneria, click here.
