Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam: Is the Debate Finally Over?

For nearly a decade, the cricketing world was divided into two camps. On one side, the Indian juggernaut, Virat Kohli, the King, who chased down targets for fun. On the other hand, the Pakistani maestro, Babar Azam, is the artist whose cover drive was poetry in motion.

Between 2019 and 2022, the comparison was valid. Babar was breaking Kohli’s records, holding the No. 1 spot across formats, and looking like the heir apparent.

But as we stand in February 2026, the picture has changed drastically. The gap has not just widened; it has become a chasm. Here is why the debate might finally be over.

1. The Century Gap: A Mountain vs. A Hill

The most defining metric of greatness is the ability to convert starts into hundreds.

• Virat Kohli (Age 37): With his recent 54th ODI century against New Zealand in January 2026, Kohli has taken his international tally to a staggering 85 Centuries (54 ODI, 30 Test, 1 T20I). Even after retiring from Tests and T20Is, he remains the most prolific run-scorer in the 50-over format.
• Babar Azam (Age 31): Babar’s century count has stalled in the low 30s. A severe dip in form throughout 2025 saw him go century-less for extended periods. The difference is now 50+ centuries. Catching Kohli is no longer a mathematical probability; it is a miracle.
•  

2. The Clutch Factor & 2025-26 Form

The last 12 months have been the deciding factor in this rivalry.

• Kohli’s Late Prime: Despite retiring from red-ball cricket in mid-2025, Kohli had a dream ODI run, averaging 65.10 in the calendar year. He is no longer playing every match, but when he does, he wins it.
• Babar’s Crisis: Conversely, 2025 was Babar’s nightmare. He was stripped of the captaincy in all formats, dropped from the T20 squad for the New Zealand series (March 2025), and demoted to a 'Category B' central contract. His struggles in the BBL 2025-26 (averaging 22 with a strike rate of 103) exposed his inability to adapt to modern power-hitting demands.
•  

3. Impact vs. Aesthetics

The core of the debate was always Style vs. Substance.

• Babar is still arguably the most aesthetic batter to watch. His technique is flawless. But flawless doesn't always win T20 World Cups.
• Kohli has evolved. He accepted that he couldn't play forever, retired from formats where he slowed down (T20Is), and focused entirely on being the ODI goat. This self-awareness has prolonged his dominance, whereas Babar’s reluctance to evolve his strike rate has cost him his place in the shortest format.
•  

Verdict: The Debate is Settled

To compare them now does a disservice to Kohli’s longevity.

• Virat Kohli sits at the table with Sachin Tendulkar and Viv Richards players who defined eras.
• Babar Azam is fighting to remain in the conversation of current greats alongside Joe Root and Kane Williamson.

Babar Azam is a fantastic player who may yet have a second wind, but the race to be the Greatest of All Time has only one winner. The debate isn't about who is better anymore; it's about appreciating Kohli while he's still here.