If you are a cricket fan, you must have heard of the debate between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam. Who is the better batsman? Who has more records? Who is more consistent? Who is more stylish? Who has better hair? Okay, maybe not the last one, but you get the idea.

Virat Kohli is the captain of the Indian cricket team and one of the best batsmen in the world. He has scored over 20,000 runs in international cricket, with 70 centuries and 109 fifties. He averages over 50 in all three formats of the game. He is known for his aggressive batting style, his fitness, his leadership skills, and his passion for the game.

Babar Azam is the captain of the Pakistan cricket team and one of the best batsmen in the world. He has scored over 7,000 runs in international cricket, with 24 centuries and 41 fifties. He averages over 50 in two formats of the game and over 40 in the third. He is known for his elegant batting style, his calmness, his consistency, and his humility.

Both are amazing players and have their own strengths and weaknesses. But how do they compare against each other? Let’s look at some statistics and facts to find out.

• Virat Kohli has played more matches than Babar Azam in all three formats. He has played 92 Tests, 254 ODIs, and 90 T20Is, while Babar Azam has played 34 Tests, 83 ODIs, and 59 T20Is.
• Virat Kohli has scored more runs than Babar Azam in all three formats. He has scored 7,490 runs in Tests, 12,169 runs in ODIs, and 3,159 runs in T20Is, while Babar Azam has scored 2,167 runs in Tests, 3,808 runs in ODIs, and 2,232 runs in T20Is.
• Virat Kohli has a higher average than Babar Azam in Tests and T20Is. He averages 52.04 in Tests and 52.65 in T20Is, while Babar Azam averages 44.22 in Tests and 47.32 in T20Is. However, Babar Azam has a higher average than Virat Kohli in ODIs. He averages 56.83 in ODIs, while Virat Kohli averages 59.07.
• Virat Kohli has more centuries than Babar Azam in all three formats. He has 27 centuries in Tests, 43 centuries in ODIs, and no centuries in T20Is (but he holds the record for the most fifties in T20Is with 28), while Babar Azam has five centuries in Tests, 14 centuries in ODIs, and four centuries in T20Is (but he holds the record for the fastest to reach 2,000 runs in T20Is).
• Virat Kohli has a higher strike rate than Babar Azam in Tests and T20Is. He has a strike rate of 57.68 in Tests and 138.43 in T20Is, while Babar Azam has a strike rate of 54.17 in Tests and 128.13 in T20Is. However, Babar Azam has a higher strike rate than Virat Kohli in ODIs. He has a strike rate of 89.04 in ODIs, while Virat Kohli has a strike rate of 93.17.
• Virat Kohli has more awards and accolades than Babar Azam. He has won the ICC Cricketer of the Year award three times (2012, 2017, and 2018), the ICC Test Player of the Year award twice (2017 and 2018), the ICC ODI Player of the Year award twice (2012 and 2017), and the ICC Spirit of Cricket award once (2019). He has also been named as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Decade (2010-2019) and one of the Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world (2018). Babar Azam has won the ICC Men’s ODI Player of the Year award once (2020) and has been named as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year (2020).

So who is the better batsman? Well, it depends on how you look at it. If you go by numbers alone, Virat Kohli seems to have an edge over Babar Azam. But if you go by skills alone, Babar Azam seems to have an edge over Virat Kohli. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and opinion. Some may prefer Virat Kohli’s aggression and intensity, while others may prefer Babar Azam’s elegance and grace. Some may admire Virat Kohli’s records and achievements, while others may appreciate Babar Azam’s potential and growth.

But one thing is certain: both are great batsmen and great ambassadors of the game. They have entertained millions of fans around the world with their batting prowess and have inspired many young cricketers to follow their footsteps. They have shown respect and admiration for each other and have maintained a healthy rivalry. They have made cricket more exciting and enjoyable to watch.

So let’s not compare them and instead celebrate them. Let’s enjoy their batting and appreciate their talent. Let’s cheer for them and support them. Let’s hope they continue to score runs and break records. Let’s hope they keep making us proud and happy.

Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam: Who is the better batsman? The answer is simple: both are.