Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam: Three Reasons Why Comparing The Duo is 'Completely Baseless'

In recent discussions, comparisons between Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli and Pakistan's former captain Babar Azam triggered debates among fans and experts. This comes after Pakistan's crushing defeat against England at home as they surrendered at the visitors by an innings and 47 runs at Multan.

Following the defeat, the new PCB selection committee dropped Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Sarfaraz Ahmed from the squad for the remaining two Tests. Meanwhile, Pakistan veteran Fakhar Zaman reignited the conversation by urging the board to keep Babar in the lineup.

In his tweet, he compared Babar Azam's current struggles to Kohli's rough patch between 2020 and 2023. The Pakistani cricketer expressed his concern about the potential removal of Babar where he noted how India did not drop Virat Kohli during his lean patch.

The senior pro pointed out Kohli's average of 19.33, 28.21 and 26.50 across three consecutive years while making a point that Pakistan should adopt a similar approach with Babar. However, Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam comparison is fundamentally flawed and let's decode that in detail.

1. Virat Kohli's achievements totally outshines Babar Azam's early career

When Virat Kohli was 22 years old, he became a World Cup winner (2011). At 24, he added the ICC Champions Trophy (2013) to his resume before leading the Indian Test side. His rise to greatness was not just limited to limited-overs, he made a telling impact in Tests with match-winning performances.

When he was 26, he had scored four centuries in Australia. On the other side of the coin, Babar Azam has not achieved similar kinds of milestones at comparable stages of his cricketing venture career.

It's time for Babar Azam's fans to get a reality check that talent alone is not enough to cement a legacy in international cricket. Babar lacked the early triumphs and high-pressure performances that Kohli has constantly delivered.

2. Virat Kohli unleashed dominance in all formats

The former Indian skipper is the best all-format player without the shadow of a doubt. He scored seven double centuries in Tests, six of them coming within 16 months, which is quite an incredible feat. Kohli scored 8871 runs in Tests, 13,906 runs in ODIs and 4188 runs in T20Is.

Notably, he is the only batter who went past Sachin Tendulkar's tally of 49 ODI centuries. Kohli hit 50 centuries in ODIs, 29 centuries in Tests and a solitary century in T20Is.

On the other hand, Babar Azam scored 5729 runs in ODIs, 4145 runs in T20Is and 3962 runs in Tests. He smashed 9 centuries in Tests, 19 centuries in ODIs and 3 centuries in T20Is.

Although he showed promise in ODIs and T20Is, he has yet to extend his dominance in Tests. He has been in woeful form in red-ball cricket for quite a long time now. He has no fifty-plus scores in 17 innings since 2023 which clearly shows the huge gap between him and Kohli.

3. Virat Kohli showed resilience in tough phases

It is cognizance of the fact that every cricketer faces lean patches. We have also seen Kohli go through a rough patch but his comeback is what sets him apart.

Even during his tough patch from 2020 to 2023, he still remained a key part of the Indian squad. He pitched in with handy knocks, helped the team with leadership experience and tried his maximum best on the field.

On the contrary, Babar Azam didn't show such a kind of resilience in Tests. Unlike Kohli, who had already carved out his reputation for himself with multiple ICC trophies and remarkable achievements before enduring a rough patch, Babar Azam still needs to prove himself in Tests.