As the cricketing world eagerly counts down to the much-anticipated clash between Pakistan and India in the Asia Cup 2023, two batting maestros stand in the spotlight. Babar Azam, Pakistan’s elegant run machine, and Virat Kohli, India’s modern-day batting legend, have carved their names in cricketing history with their impeccable ODI performances.
This analysis delves into their statistics, examining who holds the edge as they prepare to face off on September 2 at Pallekele International Stadium. So let’s begin to check who has an edge:
Babar Azam’s ODI Prowess:
Babar Azam’s ODI journey, which began in 2015, boasts remarkable numbers. With 5,353 runs at an impressive average of 59.47, he has displayed his ability to anchor an innings. His highest score of 158 reflects his match-winning potential, while a strike rate of 89.39 showcases his aggression. Notably, Babar has registered 19 centuries and 28 half-centuries, underlining his consistency. With just four ducks, he maintains a remarkable boundary count of 482 fours and 56 sixes.
Babar Azam vs India:
Babar’s encounters with the Indian cricket team have been moments of brilliance. In five matches from 2017 to 2019, he scored 158 runs, with an impressive 48 as his highest score. While he hasn’t hit centuries or half-centuries, his ability to build partnerships and maintain a strike rate of 75.96 against India is noteworthy. Babar has a penchant for finding the boundary with 14 fours and one six in these contests.
Virat Kohli’s Dominance:
Beyond his remarkable performances against Pakistan, Virat Kohli’s overall ODI career is nothing short of legendary. Spanning from 2008 to 2023, Kohli has amassed 12,898 runs in 275 ODIs, boasting an astonishing average of 57.32. His consistency shines through with 46 centuries and 65 half-centuries, highlighting his ability to dominate the game. With 1,211 fours and 138 sixes, Kohli’s capability to dictate the course of an ODI is evident.
Virat Kohli vs Pakistan:
Virat Kohli’s ODI record against Pakistan is extraordinary, with an average of 48.72 in 13 matches from 2009 to 2019. His highest score of 183 exemplifies his capacity to anchor an innings under pressure. With a strike rate of 96.22, he combines solidity with aggression. Kohli’s overall ODI career is a testament to his greatness, boasting 12,898 runs at an astonishing average of 57.32, including 46 centuries and 65 half-centuries.
Who Holds the Edge?
When we compare the ODI statistics of Babar Azam and Virat Kohli, two contemporary cricketing giants, some fascinating insights emerge. Babar Azam, with an average of 59.47, showcases remarkable consistency, while Virat Kohli’s lifetime ODI average stands at an astonishing 57.32.
In terms of centuries, Babar has recorded 19, a testament to his ability to convert starts into big scores, while Kohli boasts a remarkable 46 centuries, a testament to his extraordinary ability to consistently dominate in this format.
However, it’s in their head-to-head performances where Kohli holds a notable edge. In ODIs against Pakistan, Kohli maintains an impressive average of 48.72 with a high score of 183, showcasing his ability to thrive under pressure in intense contests whereas Azam’s ODI average against India remains under 40.
While both batters are exceptional, Virat Kohli’s consistent dominance against Pakistan in ODIs gives him the edge in this clash. As the Asia Cup 2023 beckons, cricket fans worldwide anticipate another thrilling chapter in the Virat Kohli vs. Pakistan saga, while acknowledging Babar Azam’s undeniable talent and potential to leave his mark on this high-stakes encounter.
