In every era, various superstars are discovered in several sports around the globe, but only a few of them reach the height of “Greatness”. Those “Great” athletes are known for their consistency, uniqueness, and determination to win every game they play. Such is happening in the sport of Cricket as well, where two players have stood out from the clutter of cricketers and gave fans the Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli debate.
Virat Kohli has been a known name in the Cricket saga for almost two decades now. He was depicted by the Indian media as the next “Sachin Tendulkar” when he led the Indian side to the under-19 World Cup victory in 2008. In three years he became a world cup winner, a feat which hasn’t been achieved by the Pakistani starlet yet.
Although the Pakistani captain is much younger than the Indian Star, his ability to perform match-winning knocks has led him to be on the level where Virat Kohli stands today. This whole comparison started in 2016 when the young Babar Azam scored three consecutive ODI centuries against the West Indies in the stadiums of the U.A.E, a feat which wasn’t achieved by the Indian till then.
Comparison
Both of the modern greats have shown their class in clutch situations while climbing the ladder of greatness. Coming from the cities of Lahore and Delhi and bringing a Punjabi background with them, there’s no doubt that the soil of Punjab bleeds cricket in its veins.
Both of them have an average of near to 50 in the international circuit. Virat has scored 76 centuries in almost double the matches Babar has played while getting 30 centuries to his name.
SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) is considered a zone where the real test of a subcontinent batsman takes place, and so far both of the batsmen have aced their tests. In South Africa, Virat has the upper hand as compared to Babar while in English conditions, Babar seems to be the successful one. Both have looked pretty even in the Kiwi land but when it comes to the Kangaroo soil, the Indian star seems to be the one having the edge.
Influence
Both are known to be influential in their team’s performances.
Accomplishments
Both stars have led their national sides in the International arena. While Babar still leads, Kohli’s last captaincy stunt was the T20 World Cup 2021. Not to forget, that event was the only event where Babar and Kohli faced off against each other as the captains of their respective sides, with men in green coming out as the winners.
Kohli has been named the ICC Cricketer of the Year two times in 2017 and 2018, while Babar collected his first in 2022.
Talking about their domestic leagues, Babar was able to get his hand on the PSL trophy when Karachi Kings were crowned champions in 2020 while Virat has never been able to get his hands on the IPL silverware. Royal Challengers Bangalore have been an underperforming side in the league despite having some big names in the squad including Kohli himself.
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli: Who is better?
Babar Azam and Virat Kohli have been the best without a doubt in the current era, however, to conclude who is better among them is still a matter of time. Both are currently in a race to achieve records and contribute to the development of the sport. It will only be decided when both these lions will retire after conquering this world with white hairs on their head and beard. When they will be sitting with each other becoming the next Kapil Dev and Imran Khan, analyzing how their careers went down the road and how legendary their careers were, maybe that will be the time they may settle the Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli debate.
Graphics by Zoraiz Awan & Onaib Poonawaala
