Babar Azam and Virat Kohli were compared during a short period from the late 2010s to the early 2020s. Pakistani fans supported Babar, while Cricket experts noted similarities in their careers. Some believed Babar deserved to be included in the elite group known as the Fab 4, alongside Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson.
This discussion has faded over time. Since 2023, Babar has struggled, while Kohli’s performance in Test cricket has also declined. Between 2016 and 2022, Babar maintained an impressive batting average over 40 across all formats, but his performance has dropped since then.
In the last two years, Babar lost his spot in both Test and T20I formats, a situation Kohli did not face. Kohli stepped away from T20 cricket after leading his team to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup and retired from Test cricket in May 2025.
Babar was placed in the middle order for the 2026 T20 World Cup, as his team needed him in that role. They looked to him to navigate challenging weather conditions in Sri Lanka, but he has faced difficulties. In a crucial match against India, he lost his grip on the game.
The comparison with Kohli ends there. Kohli consistently delivered in high-pressure situations for India. He holds a remarkable batting average of 70.28 against Pakistan, while Babar’s average stands at 22, reflecting a significant gap in their achievements.
Record while chasing in T20 World Cup:
- Virat Kohli: Average of 135.50 and Strike Rate of 134.15
- Babar Azam: Average of 31.20 and Strike Rate of 103.65
In addition to batting averages, their performances under pressure during summer months show that Kohli leads with a 104 point advantage. The difference in their abilities is striking.
Babar struggles to perform in crucial matches. For example, after Pakistan’s win against India by 10 wickets in the 2021 T20 World Cup, he has played five matches against India, scoring only 42 runs with an average of 8.40.
He has only crossed the 15-run mark once in those matches and has a batting efficiency of 113.51. His slow batting has put extra pressure on the team, especially against India. Evidence suggests that comparing Babar and Kohli is not justified.
Babar Azam’s T20I record vs India:
