Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam 2026: Who Is the Better Batsman? Stats Don't Lie
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Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam 2026: Who Is the Better Batsman? Stats Don't Lie
The debate has been going on for years — and in 2026, it is still alive. Virat Kohli, the Indian legend with 85 international centuries. Babar Azam, Pakistan's most technically gifted batter of his generation. Both right-handed. Both openers or top-order anchors. Both capable of destroying any bowling attack on any given day.
But when you sit down and actually look at the numbers — format by format, situation by situation — one question becomes unavoidable: Kaun better hai?
Let's find out.
Who Are They? A Quick Introduction
Virat Kohli (born November 5, 1988, Delhi) is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. He holds the record for most centuries in ODIs and has the second-most centuries in international cricket overall, with 85 hundreds across all formats. He has won the IPL with RCB, the T20 World Cup, the Champions Trophy, and the ODI World Cup. He retired from Tests in 2025 but continues to dominate in ODIs and the IPL. Wikipedia
Babar Azam (born October 15, 1994, Lahore) is Pakistan's finest modern-day batter. Between the start of 2018 and the end of 2022, Babar hit a purple streak that no other Pakistan batter came close to matching, racking up almost 9,000 runs across formats over those five years. He is known for his textbook technique, elegant strokeplay, and consistency across all three formats. ESPNcricinfo
Head-to-Head Stats Comparison 2026
This is the table cricket fans actually want to see. Here is the full format-by-format comparison using the most updated career numbers available in 2026:
| Format | Stat | Virat Kohli | Babar Azam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | Matches | 123 | 61 |
| Runs | 9,230 | 4,366 | |
| Average | 47 | 42 | |
| Centuries | 30 | 13 | |
| ODIs | Matches | 311 | 140 |
| Runs | 14,797 | 6,501 | |
| Average | 59 | 54 | |
| Centuries | 54 | 20 | |
| T20Is | Matches | 125 | 145 |
| Runs | 4,188 | 4,596 | |
| Average | 48.70 | 39 | |
| Centuries | 1 | 0 | |
| IPL | Total Runs | 8,900+ | Not played |
| Centuries | 8 | — |
Numbers don't lie. Kohli leads in almost every single category — but Babar is younger, still active in all formats, and still adding to his tally.
Test Cricket: Kohli Dominates, But Babar Has Time
Kohli played 123 Tests and scored 9,230 runs at an average of 47, with 30 centuries. He scored Test hundreds against every major team and in virtually every condition — Australia, England, South Africa, West Indies. He retired from Tests in early 2025. myKhel
Babar has played 61 Tests and scored 4,366 runs at an average of 42. He has 13 Test centuries and is still active in red-ball cricket. myKhel
The gap is significant right now — Kohli has nearly double the runs and more than double the centuries in Tests. However, Babar is only 31 years old and still has a long career ahead of him. If he maintains this consistency, the numbers will keep growing.
Verdict: Kohli wins — but Babar is not done yet.
ODI Cricket: Kohli Is in a Different League
This is where the gap becomes truly extraordinary. Kohli has scored 14,797 ODI runs in 311 matches at an average of 59, hitting 54 centuries — the most ODI centuries by any player in history. myKhel
Babar has played 140 ODI matches and scored 6,501 runs at an average of 54, with 20 centuries. myKhel
Kohli's ODI record is arguably the greatest ever in the format. His chase record is legendary — he is known as the best run-chaser in cricket history. Babar is excellent in ODIs too, but comparing his numbers to Kohli's is like comparing a great player to an all-time great.
A big moment for Babar came recently — in November 2025, he scored his 20th ODI century against Sri Lanka, equalling Saeed Anwar's Pakistan record for most ODI centuries. A great milestone, but still 34 centuries behind Kohli. Wikipedia
Verdict: Kohli wins, comfortably — this is his strongest format.
T20 International Cricket: Babar Edges Ahead in Volume
This is the one format where Babar has actually played more and scored more in terms of raw runs. Babar has played 145 T20I matches and scored 4,596 runs at an average of 39. myKhel
Kohli finished his T20I career with 4,188 runs at a better average of 48.70 — but he retired after the 2024 T20 World Cup. Babar is still playing and adding to his tally.
A big milestone happened recently — in February 2026, Babar surpassed Kohli to become the player with the most fifties in T20 internationals. That is a real achievement and shows just how consistently Babar has performed in the shortest format. Wikipedia
However, Kohli's average is significantly better, and he played his T20I cricket at a different level of intensity — winning two T20 World Cups.
Verdict: Tie — Babar has more runs, Kohli has the better average and bigger wins.
IPL: No Contest — Kohli Is the Greatest IPL Batter Ever
This comparison is simple. Kohli is the all-time leading run-scorer in IPL history with over 8,661 runs in 267 matches. He holds the record for the most runs in a single IPL season (973 runs in 2016) and the most IPL centuries (8). IPL T20
Babar Azam has never played in the IPL — Pakistani players are not eligible. So this entire category belongs to Kohli.
In IPL 2026, Kohli has continued his excellent form. He has scored 351 runs in 8 innings at an average of 58.50 and a strike rate of 162.9, with a highest score of 81 against Gujarat Titans. myKhel
Verdict: Kohli wins — Babar simply hasn't played.
Big Match Performance: Who Shows Up When It Matters Most?
This is the most debated part of the comparison. Kohli's record in pressure games, finals, and knockout matches is extraordinary. He scored 82 runs in the 2011 World Cup final, starred in the 2013 Champions Trophy, and won the Player of the Match in the 2024 T20 World Cup final.
Babar has had some brilliant big-match innings too — his century against New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup was spectacular. But critics point out that Pakistan have rarely gone deep in major tournaments during his era, limiting his chances.
Verdict: Kohli has the edge in finals and knockout performances — his record speaks for itself.
The Consistency Factor: Style vs Substance
| Quality | Virat Kohli | Babar Azam |
|---|---|---|
| Batting style | Aggressive, power-driven | Elegant, classical |
| Best format | ODIs | T20Is |
| Chase record | Best in the world | Very good |
| Away record | Excellent (Aus, Eng) | Good but inconsistent |
| Big tournament wins | 4 (WC, CT, T20WC x2) | 1 (T20 WC 2021) |
| Current age (2026) | 37 | 31 |
| Still active | ODI + IPL only | All formats |
Kohli has won more, achieved more, and broken more records. But Babar's career is far from over — he is six years younger and still playing all three formats.
ICC Rankings in 2026
Kohli holds the 2nd position in the ICC ODI batting rankings. myKhel
Babar Azam is ranked 6th in the ICC ODI batting rankings, 22nd in Tests, and 37th in T20Is as of 2026. myKhel
Kohli's ranking in ODIs remains higher despite Babar playing more recent cricket — a testament to how elite his form remains even at 37.
Final Verdict: Kaun Better Hai?
Here is the honest answer — Virat Kohli is the better batsman, based on career numbers, big match performance, and overall impact on the game. The records are not even close — 85 international centuries, the greatest ODI average of the modern era, the highest IPL run-scorer of all time, and four major tournament wins.
But Babar Azam is not far behind — and more importantly, his story is still being written. At 31, he could realistically play another 6–8 years of international cricket. If he stays fit and consistent, he has every chance of closing the gap.
Kohli's era is defined. Babar's era is still unfolding.
The real answer? Kohli is the GOAT of his generation. Babar is the GOAT of Pakistan's. And in 2026, both deserve your respect.
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