Babar vs Virat?
A light comparative review of Babur and Virat
Virat Kohli may reign as the "King of Batting," but Babar Azam embodies the silent assassin of cricket, patiently waiting for his moment to shine. While Kohli instills fear in opposing teams with his aggressive style, Babar operates like a stealthy termite, quietly devouring the competition before they even realize it.
The rivalry between Babar Azam and Virat Kohli is steeped in the nuances of cricketing advantages and challenges. Kohli enjoys the significant benefit of being an Indian batsman, often participating in matches tailored to his strengths, frequently played on home grounds renowned as batting paradises. In contrast, Pakistani players face hurdles, not only due to a lack of resources but also because the Pakistan Cricket Board mirrors the weaknesses of other national institutions, frequently undergoing changes that hinder stability. The subpar infrastructure has stunted professionalism among players, leaving them without adequate technical or administrative support on the international stage. Moreover, the board has struggled to establish a credible presence in the politics of international cricket, as evidenced by past instances involving players like Shoaib Akhtar and Saeed Ajmal. This lack of exposure contributes to feelings of inferiority among Pakistani cricketers. In light of these factors, former England captain Nasser Hussain aptly remarked that if Babar Azam were to embody the prowess of Virat Kohli, he would be a household name.Babar Azam is undeniably a natural talent; calling him a "diamond in cricketing terms" would not be an exaggeration. He emerged as a beacon of hope for Pakistan cricket during a period marked by a dearth of competent batting players. Instead of allowing him to showcase his batting brilliance, the Pakistan Cricket Board exhibited remarkable self-interest by appointing him as captain across all formats prematurely.When comparing Babar to Kohli, the disparities become glaringly evident. For instance, Kohli made his debut at the tender age of twenty and had already played 146 matches by the age of twenty-six.
While Babar made his debut at the age of 21 and played only 77 matches by the time he reached the age of 26.
Then, among these matches, Virat got most of the matches at his home ground, while Babar got only a few matches at his home ground.
Comparison of Babar and Kohli after 100 ODIs
Player, Score, Average
Kohli 4107, 48.89
Babur 5089, 59.17
Some people, especially Indians, object that Babar has scored most of the scores against weak teams, while the above record shows a very balanced performance that Babar has also seen good performance against big teams.
When it comes to style and captivating strokes, one might think of players like Ricky Ponting. However, in terms of technique and results, Babar Azam undoubtedly surpasses everyone in that category. Batting is not a dance floor where one’s flair is applauded; it is a battleground where performance translates to victory, not mere showmanship.
Technically, Babar Azam is a world-class batsman. His unique style and rhythm are intricately linked; altering his rhythm inevitably affects his technique. Yet, some observers wish to see Babar as more than just a technically sound batsman; they envision him as a superman—someone who combines the determination of Sachin Tendulkar, the stability of Rahul Dravid, the agility of AB de Villiers, and the match-winning prowess of Virat Kohli. This expectation places an undue burden on Babar. We must also be cautious not to lose sight of his existing talents in our pursuit of perfection. Given all these considerations, it becomes clear that a comparison between Babar and Virat does not hold water.
Reference
Moody, Manjrekar compare Babar Azam, Virat Kohli in ODIs
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli: Comparing batting greatness at similar stages
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli: A detailed look at the duo’s numbers across formats
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam: Who is better and the batting GOAT? The stats comparison
Kohli on Babar: 'Probably the top batsman in the world across formats'
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