By The dispute over who is the “King of Cricket” between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam continues, despite both players’ great international records. However, Virat Kohli is often considered the modern-day “King of Cricket” due to his enormous experience and exploits across all formats.
Virat Kohli’s innings did not necessarily end the title argument with Babar Azam. Instead, both players continue to make big contributions to their respective teams, with Babar Azam emerging as a formidable force in recent years, particularly in One Day Internationals. Babar eclipsed Kohli as the top ODI batsman in April 2021, and he remains a serious contender for the championship.
In terms of recent performances, both Kohli and Babar face difficulties, notably from spin bowlers, which may affect their place in the “King of Cricket” debate1.The upcoming matches, including as the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, will allow both players to strengthen their claims to the championship.
Here is a brief comparison of their ODI statistics:
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Centuries | Half-Centuries |
| Virat Kohli | 298 | 13,985 | 57.78 | 93.43 | 50 | 73 |
| Babar Azam | 127 | 6,083 | 55.80 | 87.91 | 19 | 35 |
Virat Kohli’s innings may have ended the discussion, his constant performance and experience makes him favourite for the crown.
Virat Kohli and Babar Azam are both excellent batters, but their results in high-pressure situations differ dramatically. Here is a comparison.
High-pressure performances.
* Virat Kohli: Known for his ability to produce under pressure, Kohli has an impressive record in high-stakes contests. He has consistently given match-winning performances, particularly in chases. His ODI statistics while chasing are particularly impressive, with 7,794 runs at an average of 65.49, including 27 centuries and 40 fifties in 159 matches.
* Babar Azam: Babar is a terrific batsman with impressive consistency, but he has yet to achieve the same level of success in high-pressure chases as Kohli. Babar frequently plays a more conservative role, anchoring the innings for Pakistan, which may limit his aggressive play in important occasions. However, he has shown signs of aggressive play in several games, indicating room for progress.
