This is the clash of the titans. There was a time when Virat Kohli was ruling the format of ODI cricket. Then there came a cricket legend from Pakistan who gave a full fight to the modern-era cricket legend Virat Kohli. Babar Azam has become such a big thing in cricket due to his scintillating batting display on the crease. He is admired by all the greats in the world of cricket. There is a reason why Babar Azam has taken the number one position from Virat Kohli in ODI cricket. It is the sheer consistency that he carries on the crease that his announcing his greatness on the field of cricket. Babar Azam is an outstanding cricketer. However, the contributions of Virat Kohli early in his career make him the greatest ODI batsman of all time. Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam in ODI World Cup 2023 is anticipated greatly.
The event of the ODI World Cup 2023 will start in October. Pakistan will be traveling to India under the leadership of Babar Azam who is a splendid batsman. On the other hand, Virat Kohli is not captaining the Indian cricket team currently. However, Kohli is still the backbone of the team. There is no doubt that India stands nowhere without the presence of Virat Kohli on the ODI side. Kohli has a knack for building innings tremendously great in the ODI format to put pressure on the opposition. In the same way, Babar Azam bats composedly on the crease to demonstrate his command on the cricket pitch. When the stage of the World Cup will arrive and India is going to host the biggest event, it would be interesting to see who would win this contest. Bet on the rivals by registering at VAVE Sportsbook!
The Weaknesses
Babar Azam is on the number-one spot in the ODI rankings currently. He has scored 5089 runs in the ODI format with a batting average of 59.17. On the other hand, Virat Kohli has scored 12898 runs in the ODI format with a tremendous batting average of 57.32 and a strike rate of 93.62. We can see that the sample size of Virat Kohli is huge as he has played a lot more matches in comparison to Babar Azam. Babar Azam has played so many fewer matches but his statistics thus far, define his greatness on the cricket field. Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam would be important in the context of the ODI World Cup 2023.
In recent times, Virat Kohli has faced some tough times regarding his form in the ODI format. He has failed to convert his runs to triple figures several times. Furthermore, we have seen his weakness of facing an outswinger escalating a bit. Whenever a left-arm pacer bowls against Virat Kohli with a tricky pace and swing, Virat Kohli finds it difficult to bat composedly on the crease. The game of Babar Azam is relatively better than Virat Kohli’s against the left-arm pacers.
Babar Azam does not have a clear weakness which is evident right now. However, we have seen a sluggish display from Babar Azam against the left-arm spinners. This comparison of weaknesses is important in the context of Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam’s ODI World Cup 2023 match-up. We have seen how Maharaj trapped Babar Azam in the crease with his delivery. On the other hand, Virat Kohli is a really strong cricketer against the left-arm spinners. He tries to play the shot late providing great timing to his shots on the crease.
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli World Cup 2023: The Track Record
While we are making the comparison keeping the context of Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli in World Cup 2023, the track record of both these cricketers is really significant. Virat Kohli has played three ODI World Cups. All in three different conditions. This fact proves that Kohli has more exposure than Babar Azam as far as the World Cups are concerned. He has played 26 games in the ODI World Cup. In the 26 games he played, he has scored 1030 runs with a batting average of 46.81.
On the other hand, Babar Azam has played only one ODI World Cup. Babar played in the World Cup in 2019 in England. The conditions were supportive of the batsmen. However, there is always great support for the bowlers in the English conditions. Babar Azam was one of the most successful batters of the ODI World Cup 2019. He scored 474 runs with a batting average of 67.71 in 8 games. It is such a great record without any shadow of a doubt.
While the batting average of Virat Kohli is less in this case, we can’t deny the fact that he has played more matches than Babar Azam. Furthermore, he also played in the World Cup under three different conditions. In my opinion, Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam in ODI World Cup 2023 might actually decide who is the player of the grandest events. Virat Kohli would be having the advantage of playing in the home conditions during this event. But Indian conditions provide great support to the batsmen. So we can’t just rule out Babar Azam.
Playing Big on the Crease
For a batsman to excel in the ODI format, it is really important to accelerate after building up the innings. When Virat Kohli came to the ODI circuit, his game of acceleration was not really strong. Then he improved significantly and did on to help India chase the big totals in the 50-over format. The same was the case with Babar Azam when he came to the circuit. Babar showed great potential on the crease with his astonishing batting skillset. However, he failed to accelerate well in regards to smashing the ball all around the park and hitting sixes. In recent times, Babar Azam has also improved significantly. This fact could surely give an advantage to Babar Azam in the comparison vs Virat Kohli in terms of the ODI World Cup 2023.
As Babar Azam has improved his game in the ODI format, he has now scored 18 hundred in just 100 games. Again he is facing some tough times while building up the innings in the ODI format currently, but he can surely cover this up ahead of the ODI World Cup 2023. The strength of Virat Kohli is to take the innings deep. He has helped India win so many games with his approach of taking the game really deep. This makes him such a great cricketer in the world. When the grandest stage of the World Cup will arrive, and Babar Azam and Virat Kohli would be facing each other in the classic arch-rivals game, it would be interesting to see who would win the game.
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam ODI World Cup 2023: The Support
For batsmen to excel in the ODI format, they love the partnership of the other batsman from one end. Kumar Sangakkara had Mahela Jayawardene helping him build the innings. Sachin Tendulkar had the support of Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid on the crease. If we talk about Virat Kohli, the likes of Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya can provide terrific support to him. If we talk about Babar Azam, he does not have that great support from the other end. Pakistan is a land of bowlers. So many bowlers from Pakistan came to the circuit. But Pakistan did not have the services of many batsmen. This is why Babar Azam has become such a big player for Pakistan in ODI cricket.
The support for Virat Kohli and Babar Azam during ODI World Cup 2023 would actually matter tremendously. For India, Shubman Gill is getting ready to play that role. From Pakistan, Imam ul Haq needs to level up the game. There are problems with the strike rate of Imam ul Haq. Babar Azam needs a batsman from the other end who bats composedly on the crease with a healthy strike rate. Yes, there are batsmen like Saim Ayub in the domestic circuit. But they certainly do not look happy for international cricket. The arena is not easy for the young cricketers. Especially, when you have to bat against the best player in the world.
Who Plays Better Shots?
Babar Azam is a textbook player. He bats astonishingly well on the crease with his amazing strokes. The way he touches the ball with his bat demonstrates his cricketing skillset on the field. He is a wonderful cricketer who plays amazing cricketing shots on the field. Do you talk about that straight drive? It looks like the shot comes straight from the manual of textbook cricket batsmen. Babar has all the cricketing strokes that make the fans in awe of him. You just can’t deny how well he plays that cover drive. There are debates all around whenever any cricketer plays a great cover drive. How does that cover-drive compare to the masterclass cover-drive of Babar Azam? It just looks like a wonderful shot. A shot was full of charisma and charm. On the other hand, Virat Kohli executes that cover drive in a crispy manner. He is not behind. Because VAVE Sportsbook is well-familiar with both of these players.
Both batsmen play amazing pull shots on the crease. But you can clearly tell that the wrist work of Virat Kohli is stronger than Babar Azam. He executes that shot with spectacular power and composedness on the crease. Kohli plays this shot amazingly well. In the Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam ODI World Cup 2023 contest, Mitchell Starc would be an interesting bowler. How both batsmen would be able to deal with the sheer pace on the crease? Stacy is not an easy customer. You just can’t smash him all around the park. But with the skillset both these batsmen have in terms of timing on the crease, it would be a really interesting battle.
The Leadership Responsibility
Virat Kohli is currently not the captain of India in the ODI format. On the other hand, Babar Azam will be captaining Pakistan in the 50-over cricket. This demonstrates the responsibility on the shoulder of Babar Azam in one of the longest formats of the game. There has been criticism revolving around the captaincy skills of Babar Azam. In the captaincy of Babar Azam, Pakistan did lose games from the crunch positions. The losses proved to be really heavy for Pakistan cricket fans. If the same pattern repeats for Pakistan in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023, it could be a sad story for Pakistan.
On the other hand, Virat Kohli will not be playing with the added burden of captaincy. This time Rohit Sharma will be leading the side of India in the ODI World Cup 2023. It means that Kohli can play on the crease freely. There is no pressure about how to adjust those batting changes on the crease. There is also no pressure while setting the field in 50-over cricket. Babar Azam has a huge responsibility. It is certain that Babar Azam would win the Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam comparison in ODI World Cup 2023 if he scores runs because Babar Azam has an added responsibility.
Do you want to find the names of the rest of the captains participating in the ODI World Cup 2023? Do you know the fact that not a single captain from ODI World Cup 2019 would be leading the side this time? Are you interested to find out the information about the new captains? If yes, then you could go to the best online cricket news sites in the UK to find out the information.
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam ODI World Cup 2023: The Arch-Rivals Record
Now this is the most interesting part. We need to find out what is the past record of both these cricketers against each other sides. If we talk about Virat Kohli, there are just so many games in which Virat Kohli has provided value for Indian cricket vs Pakistan. It all started in Asia Cup 2012 when a young batter from India carried the innings following the departure of Sachin Tendulkar. The match seemed to be over for India but Kohli was batting on the crease. He just batted flawlessly and smashed the ball all around the park. Kohli is a terrific cricketer. We saw that on the night of the Asia Cup 2012 Pakistan vs India contest.
Following this game, Virat Kohli has helped India win so many games for India against Pakistan. The notable performance in T20 World Cup 2012 was when Pakistan posted a low total on the board. In the dead rubber 2013 CT contest, Virat played another terrific inning. A century at Adelaide Stadium during the ICC World Cup 2015 games. With so many other games, the highlight is the 88* knock vs Pakistan at Melbourne Cricket Ground which is perhaps the greatest knock of Virat Kohli in the 21st century. Pakistan almost won the contest. The majority of the Indian batsmen returned to the pavilion. But Kohli showed sheer class and consistency on the crease.
What about Babar Azam?
Babar Azam has not played many games against India. It started with a knock vs India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, when the young batter played a terrific cameo. Following the scintillating performance, Babar Azam did truly show some greatness on the field in the Asia Cup 2018 matches. India posted a huge total on the board vs Pakistan in the CWC 19 contest. Pakistan got back in the game with a terrific fifty from Babar Azam on the crease. The highlight of Babar Azam performance vs India was the knock at Dubai International Stadium during T20 World Cup 2021.
India was the hot favorite to win the T20 World Cup 2021 group-stage contest vs Pakistan. The men in green were the underdog in the game vs India. But Pakistan managed to win the contest vs India for the first time in the history. Pakistan did not win any game against India in the grand event in the past. But it was during the captaincy of Babar, Pakistan managed to win the contest vs India. It was truly a huge victory for Pakistan which escalated great excitement among the cricket fans. There is no doubt that the victory would surely spark some weight in the favor of Babar Azam as far as the comparison vs Virat Kohli in terms of ODI World Cup 2023 is concerned.
To find out the statistics of Babar Azam vs India, you can visit the best online cricket sportsbook sites in South Africa to find out the information.
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam ODI World Cup 2023: The Ultimate Battle
This is going to be the ultimate battle without any shadow of a doubt. Babar Azam will be playing in the Indian conditions for the first time. He would be leading the side of Pakistan. He is a phenomenal cricketer. Babar is one of the greatest Pakistan batsmen of all time. Virat Kohli is a modern-era cricket. He chases the totals amazingly well on the crease. He has a wonderful skillset as far as the building innings is concerned. The way he accelerates on the crease after making a platform on the crease is great. Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam ODI World Cup 2023 is a big battle because both players are amazing. Fans are really excited. Who is going to win this great battle?
Are you a huge fan of cricket? Do you love to follow all the exciting updates about cricket? Are you excited about the upcoming grandest event which has grabbed the attention of cricketing fans from all around the world? Do you love to find out more about Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli ODI World Cup 2023 information as the fixtures of the grand event are going to be announced shortly? If yes, then you could go to the best online cricket news sites in Australia to find out the information.
