There are many great cricketers on the international circuit like Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith (Australia), Kane Williamson (New Zealand), and Joe Root (England) who are playing vital roles in their teams’ victories.

But there is a constant comparison in the sub-continent between Pakistan captain Babar Azam and Indian ace batsman Virat Kohli. Their performances on the field have added excitement and thrill to the game, making them true legends of the sport.

Babar and Kohli are two exceptional cricketers who have redefined batting in the modern era. Both are talented and successful batsmen, have achieved remarkable milestones and have left a significant impact on the game.

Babar entered into the international scene in 2015 and quickly established himself as a reliable batsman. His elegant batting technique, impeccable timing, and ability to play all around the ground have drawn comparisons to some of the greatest batsmen of all time.

Babar's consistency across formats is one of his standout qualities. He has shown great adaptability in all three formats i.e. Test matches, ODIs, and T20Is, which has earned him praise from cricket critics around the world.

Babar's career statistics are impressive. He has overall 12,270 international runs, including 30 centuries and 82 half-centuries in 251 international matches across all formats. His average in ODIs is over 59, which is outstanding. He has been the backbone of Pakistan's batting lineup for a long time and has led the team from the front in crucial matches.

Kohli's rise to prominence began in 2008 when he led the Indian U-19 team to a World Cup victory. Kohli is known for his aggression, passion, and unmatched work ethic.

Kohli's records speak for themselves. He has over 25,322 international runs, including 75 centuries and 130 half-centuries in 497 international matches. He has established himself as one of the greatest run-scorers.

His average in ODIs is over 57. Kohli's hunger for success and his ability to chase down big targets have been instrumental in India's success in limited-overs cricket.

Babar is known for his elegance and flawless strokeplay. He relies on timing and placement rather than brute force. His ability to pierce gaps in the field and find boundaries is a treat to watch.

On the other hand, Kohli is more aggressive and has a wide range of shots in his arsenal. He is equally comfortable playing orthodox shots as well as innovative strokes, making him a complete package.

Babar was appointed as the captain of the Pakistan cricket team in all formats in 2020, which is a testament to his leadership skills and the trust placed in him by the team management.

Kohli has led the Indian cricket team to several significant victories, including a historic Test series win in Australia in 2020-21. He has been the backbone of India's batting lineup for over a decade and has won numerous awards, including the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year, on multiple occasions.

As far as leading the sides is concerned, Babar and Kohli have their unique styles and approaches to leadership, and they have achieved success in their respective ways.

Currently, Babar is skipper of the national side in all three formats and he is still in the learning process, especially in crunch moments.

In T20Is, he has led the team 66 times, winning 40. This includes two final losses in the Asia Cup and World Cup, and a semi-final loss in the 2021 World Cup.

Babar’s calm and composed behaviour on the field reflects in his captaincy style. He leads by example with his consistent performances and has instilled a sense of belief and unity in the team.

One of Babar's strengths as a captain is his ability to nurture young talent. He has shown confidence in giving opportunities to promising players and has been instrumental in developing a balanced team. His positive approach and willingness to take risks have often paid off for Pakistan. Babar's leadership has also helped in fostering a competitive and fighting spirit within the team.

Kohli was at the helm of the Indian cricket team for more than five years. Known for his aggressive and passionate nature, Kohli brought an intensity to the team that drove them to perform at their best. His never-give-up attitude and ability to inspire his teammates were crucial in India's successes under his leadership.

Kohli was the captain in eight series out of the 11 consecutive Test series wins recorded by India. MS Dhoni was captain in two and Ajinkya Rahane in one.

Only two captains have more wins than Kohli in their first 50 Tests as captains.

As a captain, Kohli is not afraid of taking calculated risks and backs his instincts. He also leads by example with his batting performances, which boosts the morale of the team.

However, there were instances where Kohli's aggressive approach backfired, particularly in overseas conditions. Some critics argued that his aggressive mindset sometimes led to impulsive decisions, resulting in missed opportunities. Additionally, there were questions raised about his man-management skills, with suggestions that he can be too demanding on his players.

Ultimately, the success of a captain cannot be solely measured by statistics or individual performances. It encompasses factors like team dynamics, man-management skills, tactical awareness, and the ability to inspire and motivate the team. Both Babar and Kohli have their strengths and weaknesses in these areas.

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