The cricketing world has long been captivated by the statistical tug-of-war between India’s Virat Kohli and Pakistan’s Babar Azam. Fans and pundits alike have spent years dissecting cover drives and strike rates to determine who truly wears the crown of this generation’s premier batter. However, following Pakistan’s recent lackluster showing against India in the T20 World Cup, former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has stepped in to settle the debate with a blunt, reality-checking perspective.
The tension peaked during a high-stakes chase in Colombo. Chasing 176, Pakistan needed their captain to anchor the innings. Instead, Babar fell for a meagre 5 off 7 balls, dismissed by Axar Patel after a shot selection that left many scratching their heads. For Karthik, it wasn’t just about the low score; it was about the mentality behind the dismissal.
Dinesh Karthik delivers strong take on Virat Kohli and Babar Azam comparison
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Karthik didn’t hold back, categorizing Babar’s early departure as a lack of competitive resolve. While Babar is often heralded for his technical elegance, Karthik pointed out a fundamental flaw in his approach during crunch” moments—the very moments where Kohli has built his legend.
“I cannot imagine Virat Kohli playing that shot that early in the innings. That is submission,” Karthik remarked. He argued that greatness isn’t defined by how you play when the sun is shining, but by how you absorb pressure when the walls are closing in. According to Karthik, Babar’s dismissal showed a lack of belief in what it takes to drag a team across the finish line.
While Kohli is famously dubbed the ‘chasemaster’ for his ability to calculate risks and stabilize an innings under duress, Babar’s failure to shoulder that responsibility in Colombo has led to a firestorm of criticism. With Pakistan slumping to a 61-run defeat, the calls for a leadership overhaul in the Pakistan camp have grown deafening, further distancing Babar from the legendary status Kohli already occupies.
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T20 World Cup run of Virat Kohli and Babar Azam in different editions
To understand why Karthik’s critique carries such weight, one only needs to look at the statistical gulf between the two players on the grandest stage of T20 cricket. The numbers tell a story of consistency versus flashes of brilliance.
| Statistic | Virat Kohli (2012-2024) | Babar Azam (2021-2026) |
| Matches/Innings | 35 / 33 | 21 / 20 |
| Runs | 1,292 | 615 |
| Average | 58.72 | 34.16 |
| Strike Rate | 128.81 | 111.81 |
| 50s | 15 | 5 |
| Fours / Sixes | 111 / 35 | 54 / 9 |
The data highlights a staggering difference in impact. Kohli’s average of 58.72 over a decade of World Cup cricket is nearly double that of Babar’s. Perhaps more telling is the boundary count; Kohli has cleared the ropes 35 times compared to Babar’s 9, despite Babar playing in an era where power-hitting has become the standard.
Karthik’s point remains clear: Greatness is measured by the ability to thrive in the eye of the storm. Until Babar can replicate Kohli’s knack for match-winning resilience, the debate may well be a conversation with only one name at the top.
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