Comparing the captains: Kohli vs. Babar

The Indian captain Virat Kohli and the Pakistani captain Babar Azam have been two of the most successful captains in the world of cricket in recent years. Their respective teams have achieved great success under their leadership, leading to speculation about who is the better captain. In this blog post, we will compare the two captains and see who comes out on top. We will look at their performances, their team's success, and other important factors that make a great captain. By the end of this post, you will know who is the better captain between Kohli and Babar.

Style of play

When it comes to comparing the styles of play between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, there are some distinct differences. Kohli is a more aggressive batsman, often looking to take the game forward with big shots. He has a wide array of strokes and is not afraid to go for big hits, even against spin bowling. On the other hand, Babar is a more conservative batsman who likes to build his innings gradually. He relies more on timing and placement, rather than power and strength. Although he is capable of playing some big shots, he prefers to take singles and twos to keep the scoreboard ticking. In terms of their bowling, Kohli is known for his slow-medium pace while Babar is known for his off-spin bowling.

Record as captain

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam have had very different journeys when it comes to their records as captains. Kohli has been leading the Indian team since 2013 and has led them to success in all formats of the game, from Test cricket to T20s. He has a winning percentage of 54.54% overall, with 11 out of 19 Tests, 37 out of 54 ODIs and 24 out of 34 T20s won under his leadership. In addition, he was part of India's 2019 World Cup victory, which saw him become the first Indian captain to win a tournament on foreign soil.

On the other hand, Babar Azam only recently took over the reins of Pakistan's captaincy in 2020 and his record as captain is still growing. So far, he has led Pakistan in 4 Test matches, winning 1 and losing 3. He has also led Pakistan in 7 ODIs, winning 4 and losing 3. Additionally, he has been captain for 9 T20s, with a record of 6 wins and 3 losses. His overall winning percentage stands at 46.15%.

Both captains have already achieved a lot in their respective careers, but only time will tell how their records as captains will stack up against each other in the future.

Experience

When it comes to experience as a captain, Virat Kohli is the clear winner. He has captained India for a total of 134 matches across all three formats of the game: Test, ODI, and T20I. His first captaincy stint started in 2012 with the ODIs and he has since gone on to become one of the most successful captains of all time. His team has won 77 of those matches and have only lost on 54 occasions.

On the other hand, Babar Azam’s first captaincy opportunity came in 2019 with the T20I side. Since then, he has led Pakistan in 17 matches with a record of 10 wins and 7 losses. While his overall captaincy experience is much lesser than Kohli, his performances have been impressive and his success rate is also higher than that of Kohli's (59.5% vs 54%).

Overall impact on the team

Both Virat Kohli and Babar Azam have had a tremendous impact on their respective teams since taking over the captaincy. Under Kohli, India has won numerous ICC trophies, including two Champions Trophy titles, one World Cup title, and a World Test Championship. His leadership and tactical acumen have led to India becoming one of the top teams in international cricket.

Babar, meanwhile, has also made a great impact on his team since being appointed captain. Pakistan has been able to achieve success under his leadership and become a competitive team in all three formats. He has also achieved personal success as a batsman, becoming the fastest cricketer to score 5000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs).

Kohli and Babar have both been successful captains, leading their teams to victories in challenging situations. Kohli has led India to multiple ICC titles and Babar has taken Pakistan to the top of the T20 rankings. Both captains have had a great impact on their teams and it will be interesting to see how they continue to develop in the years ahead.

Final thoughts

When it comes to assessing who is the better captain between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, it really depends on your personal preferences. Both players have had tremendous success as captains in their respective formats and have established themselves as two of the best captains in the world. However, when you look at the overall picture, Kohli has been able to lead India to great heights with his consistent leadership while Babar has done an incredible job of bringing Pakistan cricket to the world stage.

Kohli’s experience and record make him a formidable leader, but Babar’s inspiring energy and tactical nous has brought Pakistan to greater heights. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide who they think is the better captain. Both players have achieved great success and have had a tremendous impact on their teams and their respective countries.