Asia Cup 2023, IND vs PAK: Virat Kohli, the proven star vs Babar Azam, the rising star

Asia Cup 2023, India vs Pakistan: Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam, a comparative analysis in ODIs. Checkout how they fare in across conditions and in ICC Events.

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam are undoubtedly two of the biggest names when it comes to modern day batters. Though there are many players who have performed admirably over the last decade, but these two players standout due to their sheer consistency across formats.

They average over 40 in all the three formats, but the duo has excelled in the ODI format, albeit starting their careers seven years apart.

Though the format is diminishing with the advent of T20Is, Kohli and Babar’s impeccable records make them two of the best batters to have ever played ODI cricket.

The India versus Pakistan clash in Asia Cup 2023, scheduled for today, will be a memorable encounter for sure. In many ways, the Asia Cup is also a precursor for the World Cup 2023 and it will show what the Asian teams offer in the global tournament.

Specifically for India and Pakistan, the goal should be to dominate in the tournament. The Indian batting and bowling line-up seems to be solid on paper, but the proof is in the pudding at this point. It will also be interesting to see how the two batters handle the pressure and who stays on top at the end of this encounter.

With all this being said, let us do a comparative study of both Kohli and Babar, and how the latter is slowly but surely catching up to the several incredible feats achieved by the Indian batters in ODIs.

Read More: Ind vs Pak Asia Cup stats: Rohit Sharma top run-getter, Virat Kohli boasts best individual score

ODI stats of Virat Kohli and Babar Azam

Kohli is a bonafide legend and he is just over 100 runs short of reaching 13,000 ODI runs with 49 centuries. On the other hand, Babar is continuing his prolific run in the format, he is the No.1 ODI batter in the world, and averages 59.48 in 102 matches wherein he has accumulated 5,353 runs.

ODI stats comparison after 102 ODI innings

After 102 innings, Babar is the highest ever run-getter in the format and the batter is also the fastest to reach the 5000 ODI runs mark. The Pakistani skipper took only 99 innings to reach the milestone. Kohli had more than 1000 runs fewer at this stage, but his returns only went up post this period in the format.

Read More: Asia Cup 2023, IND vs PAK: Who will prevail in battle between India’s batters & Pakistan pace trio

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam At home

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam Away from home

While Virat Kohli has maintained more or less same average both home and away, Babar’s record at home is much superior compared to his offshore feats.

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam Records in Asia

Kohli is the fourth highest run getter in ODIs in Asian conditions, having scored 7,443 runs at an incredible average of 58.14 and striking at just under 97. His highest ODI score of 183 came in Asian conditions and it was against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2012 at Dhaka.

Kohli also has the second most ODI centuries in Asia after Sachin Tendulkar – who had scored 36 in the subcontinent. Babar has scored 12 at this stage.

Babar, who started out much later than Kohli, has a better average in Asia with 12 centuries in 45 innings.

Read More: The chase for Asia Cup: India vs Pakistan – Key match ups to look forward to

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam Records outside Asia

Kohli has a better average in ODIs outside the Asian subcontinent compared to Babar Azam, despite having played double the number of innings. However, their strike rates are relatively closer to each other.

Kohli’s average of 56.23 is easily the best among all the batters who have scored 5,000 or more ODI runs outside Asia and he has hit 15 centuries till now. Babar has made 7 of them outside Asia.

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam Records batting first in ODIs

Virat Kohli is the 13th highest run-getter in ODIs while batting first. Both these players have amazing numbers but the Pakistani skipper’s average here is much more than his career average of 59.48 with 12 centuries.

Read More: India’s batters struggle against left-arm pacers; Will more left-arm seam options in team help?

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam Records while chasing in ODIs

At the same time, Kohli’s numbers show why he is considered a true chase master. The right-hander has the second highest total runs in the 2nd innings, but Babar’s strike rate drops down to 86.19 – compared to his 92.25 while batting first.

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam Records in successful run-chases in ODIs

While both these players have shown they are champions in their own right, but Kohli’s dominance makes him stand out from the rest. He has an astounding 5,432 runs in ODI wins for India when it comes to run-chases at a mind boggling average of over 89 in 91 innings.

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam Records in SENA

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam Records vs SENA in SENA

Kohli and Babar Azam have been prolific in SENA, both against SENA teams and others. Babar inches ahead of Kohli in the matter of performance against SENA teams just a little, but he has played 30 innings fewer than the Indian batter.

Read More: India miss killer instinct in their last-minute preparation for Asia Cup and CWC 2023

Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam in ODIs head to head

Both Kohli and Babar have played against each other in 3 ODIs – with the former leading the way with 163 runs, including two match-winning 50+ scores. Pakistan’s only win came in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final.

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam In ICC Events (World Cup and Champions Trophy)

Babar Azam has played in 2 ICC tournaments, ICC World Cup 2019 and ICC Champions trophy 2017 – where Pakistan emerged victorious. He was the leading run-scorer in the 2019 World Cup for his team where he scored his only century (against New Zealand) in ICC events.

On the other hand Virat Kohli is a World Cup and Champions Trophy winner for India and has played in all ICC tournaments since 2009 – scoring 2 tons in the process. He averages 55.67 which is lower than Azam’s.

Read More: Asia Cup Throwback: Virat Kohli’s masterclass ensured India’s victory over Pakistan in 2012