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Babar Azam versus Lokesh Rahul

street cricketer

street cricketer

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Yes, it's that time of the year. Yeah, you guessed it right. It's time for another Ind vs Pak player comparison thread. This time we have two great future prospects in Babar Azam and Lokesh Rahul. Both are exciting and young talented batsmen. Both have made their debuts for their respective countries in different formats. Both are technically good and are impressive stroke players.

Babar Azam:

Babar Azam made his ODI debut exactly an year ago at Lahore against Zimbabwe. Since then he has been a stable batsman in a shaky batting line up. The former Pakistan U19 captain has been earmarked as the future of the Pakistan batting line up.

Career highlight:

Making consecutive ODI fifties (62, 83) in his very first tour to New Zealand against a pacy attack of Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Adam Milne and Mitchell McClenaghan. Eventhough he ended up in the losing side, Babar showed glimpses of what's to come in the future with those two impressive innings.

Lokesh Rahul:

KL Rahul made his international debut in India's test tour of Australia in the december of 2014 after an injury to Shikhar Dhawan. Since then, he has impressed whenever he has got a chance to open for the Indian test team. The Karnataka lad has been a prolific run scorer for his side in the Ranji trophy and was one of the key players for Karnataka which saw the side win back to back Ranji trophies.

Career highlight:

Scoring a ton at Sydney in his 2nd Test against Australia. He followed it up with another ton in the Sri Lankan tour. However, he has had some low scores in between but to his defence, he hasn't been a regular in the Indian Test team.

Stats comparison:

Babar Azam:
2016-05-30 15.34.01.jpg

KL Rahul:
2016-05-30 15.36.43.jpg

As of now, Rahul has very good first class stats but has had an inconsistent start to his Test career. Babar Azam has better List A stats and has had a very good start to his ODI career while Rahul is yet to make his ODI debut for India. However Rahul showed signs of a great LOI potential in this year's IPL being second in run scorers only to Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in his side. At this stage, both have got very low sample sets in their international careers and it's more about who has got a better potential and a higher ceiling.

Who is your pick between the two and who do you think will have the better career?
 
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Babar might be more talented and better at this stage, but India develops their batsmen much better.

In addition, Rahul will play around players like Kohli and Rahane while Babar is surrounded by not a single great ODI player and in Tests, limited batsmen like Younis, Misbah and Azhar.

If Babar develops better than Rahul and has a better career, then it means that he is much more gifted than Rahul.
 
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Rahul is a very good batsmen. In tests, he will achieve the stature of Kohli, Rahane and Vijay if gets a run for a decent period.

He seems to be a good limited over batsmen too and along with Manish Pandey he will find a permanent spot in the team after Dhoni retirement.
 
Rahul seems to have ability to play long innings and keep his concentration.

Doubt Babar will have the same concentration power
 
Hasan123 said:
Let's have this comparison when babar has played test matches.
Click to expand...

Rahul hasn't played LOIs too. It's easy to compare using stats when both have played a sizeable amount of matches. Everybody can compare using stats. But comparing based on unseen potential is the difficult job. So start comparing:srini
 
India are also better at developing batsman than us. Babar needs to avoid distractions and concentrate on his game. Both should be able to play tests and odis, KL will depend on if Indian selectors will drop dhwaan. But KL should open in tests and already has scored a century in Australia. Both have made good starts in different formats
 
street cricketer said:
Rahul hasn't played LOIs too. It's easy to compare using stats when both have played a sizeable amount of matches. Everybody can compare using stats. But comparing based on unseen potential is the difficult job. So start comparing:srini
Click to expand...

You develop batsmen better than us tbh. Babar has good technique but panics after a few dot balls needs to correct that. KL has improved his shot range and also has the ability to play long innings. KL just ahead for now
 
Never heard of Lokesh. Seems like a premature comparison.
 
When it comes to pure potential its Babar hands down. For me he is the best under 24 batting prospect in the subcontinent along with Soumya Sarkar. Used to think that way about Sanju Samson but he is regressing for some reason. However people have mentioned that we dont develop batsmen well and that could be a problem.
 
aliasad1998 said:
When it comes to pure potential its Babar hands down. For me he is the best under 24 batting prospect in the subcontinent along with Soumya Sarkar. Used to think that way about Sanju Samson but he is regressing for some reason. However people have mentioned that we dont develop batsmen well and that could be a problem.
Click to expand...

Sarkar is heavily overrated. He only has good hand-eye coordination.
 
Lokesh Rahul, very impressive technique and has a century on his debut Aus tour. Babar really needs to improve his FC stats which are very bad.
 
The two appear a bit in contrasts of each other. Rahul is a phenomenal player in Ranji trophy and has been among the leading scorers for a few years now. However his international career hasn't been consistent, in a short sample set admittedly. Rahul's domestic record indicates he is a better Test batsman than LOI one.

Babar's first class career has been not so impressive and his domestic record indicates he is a better LOI player than Test batsman by all accounts. But he has had a very good start to his LOI international career and it remains to be seen how he performs in the longer format.

I haven't seen too much of Babar except the NZ series where he looked a solid batsman and impressive. I've seen Rahul play Tests in Australia and Sri Lanka, but ironically, I've been more impressed of him in this IPL with a great range of stroke play and looked an aggressive LOI opener.

Will be interesting to see both careers.
 
Babar suffering from brain lapse (which seems an incurable disease for Pak batsmen) so It won't be a surprise if this thread becomes Umar Akmal vs Virat Kohli type comparison thread..
 
I saw KL batting in the IPL. He may get the runs and what not.

But

Babar is ten times as classy, and we all know that is the only thing that matters :srini
 
muhammad saad said:
Babar suffering from brain lapse (which seems an incurable disease for Pak batsmen) so It won't be a surprise if this thread becomes Umar Akmal vs Virat Kohli type comparison thread..
Click to expand...

He really needs to learn. Umar had way more potential than him and look where he stands. I really fear Babar can go down the same route because so far he has shown he has issues with his concentration.
 
Never seen Lokesh play....in fact the only thing I remember about him is that he was down with dengue fever and Dhawan replaced him in some Indian tour....but judging purely on Stats I think Babar is ahead in List-A because Lokesh's strike rate is really low although average is OK.....and Lokesh will take the edge over Babar in FC.
 
Lokesh rahul has better basics ,better outside off and better head position. His running is considerably better than babar azam. In the long run rahul will turn out to bea better batsman.
 
The first impression I can get looking at their domestic stats is that Rahul is more a test player while Azam is more a LOI player. Never seen Azam play but heard he is the next big thing from Pakistan. On the other hand, Rahul is nowhere near our playing XI and depends on injuries to make it into the team. Very interesting comparison. I'd like to see how the careers of these two would have shaped in 2 years of time..
 
Couple of seasons/years may give better idea about Rahul, he looks a bit raw. (Even Pujara who showed 10 times more promise couldn't live up to the exception and time is running out... Also India are not playing enough test matches/test matches being masked by T20s)
 
Babar is only 21 while Rahul is 24, I know age doesn't really matter but Rahul is a bit ahead in his development.

Btw Babar played against this guy named Chand during under 19s, what happened to him, he scored a century in the final and everyone though that he was going to be the next kohli
 
Though sample is not good enough, talent wise Babar is ahead, but i know how how our system destroys cricketers, and under Indian system Lokesh will develop good. Also this kid got is made for longer innings.

At this i want both of them to become good players for their teams, and consistent selection for their teams.
 
street cricketer said:
I agree.

Eventhough Haris probably doesn't have the stats of Babar, I find him more impressive. He was good in the short cameo against India. He has to improve his fitness though.
Click to expand...

What? Check Haris Sohail's FC statistics. Also he averages above 40 and 30 in List A and T20s, respectively, which is ideal.
 
KL is a wristy player just like Kohli and can hit huge sixes too. Him, along with Pandey, will be the future of Indian ODI team. KL's technique looks pleasing and is, certainly, a better talent than Babar.
 
The Last Of The Stars said:
If he gets fit, he will take his average further upwards, such is his talent.
Click to expand...

Sure, he might, but it will take him time to get re-accustomed to FC cricket... you don't just take a couple of years off and come back in the same condition. Things will have changed for him. I also hope he reacts positively and is able to improve.
 
aliasad1998 said:
When it comes to pure potential its Babar hands down. For me he is the best under 24 batting prospect in the subcontinent along with Soumya Sarkar. Used to think that way about Sanju Samson but he is regressing for some reason. However people have mentioned that we dont develop batsmen well and that could be a problem.
Click to expand...
I don't know what's wrong with Sarkar. He is out of form for a while. Shabbir is way ahead of him nd consistent in all format.

On topic: Babar in limited overs Rahul in Test. Rahul has only thing for him is association with Kohli. Other wise he wouldn't get selected. There are other better talents playing and waiting.
 
Babar is better than Haris, who is also very good.

Should be our No. 3 and 4 long-term.
 
Syed1 said:
I saw KL batting in the IPL. He may get the runs and what not.

But

Babar is ten times as classy, and we all know that is the only thing that matters :srini
Click to expand...



Not sure about that :P

His IPL & Test approach is very different.





"KL Rahul is, in my opinion, a man destined to play for India. He hasn't quite scored the runs he would have liked this year, but I've seen a few batsmen in my career and he is serious class. I don't believe in curses or jinxes which is why I'm happy to express my opinion about him. It may not happen this year, or even next, but I expect him to play for his country under MS Dhoni at some point."



~ Dale Steyn (2013).
 
BD-fan said:
I don't know what's wrong with Sarkar. He is out of form for a while. Shabbir is way ahead of him nd consistent in all format.

On topic: Babar in limited overs Rahul in Test. Rahul has only thing for him is association with Kohli. Other wise he wouldn't get selected. There are other better talents playing and waiting.
Click to expand...

In the Indian test team?Would surely make it into the team once Dhawan,Sharma are shown the door.

Rahul along with Pandey upcoming future.
 
Kl Rahul will obviously become the better batsman and human being while Babar will always be the more talented one. Jai Shri Ram :srini
 
Rahul has improved his batting in IPL atleast so hopefully he can figure out a way to be in the LOI in future.
Not sure too early a comparison yet but i would back Rahul for now in tests and Azam for LOI.
 
Abhilash93 said:
Not sure about that :P

His IPL & Test approach is very different.





"KL Rahul is, in my opinion, a man destined to play for India. He hasn't quite scored the runs he would have liked this year, but I've seen a few batsmen in my career and he is serious class. I don't believe in curses or jinxes which is why I'm happy to express my opinion about him. It may not happen this year, or even next, but I expect him to play for his country under MS Dhoni at some point."



~ Dale Steyn (2013).
Click to expand...

When did he say this? I mean the event..
 
Rahul is technically better , in his early days in U-19 he was compared to Rahul Dravid for his technique . He was hyped quite a bit in age group days , played some sold knocks for India in difficult conditions . The hyped died a bit when we struggling to make a permanent spot in Karnataka side which already had a strong batting linup , but the last 2-3 seasons he was one of the big reasons Karnataka won Ranji , Irani and Duleep trophy . I will be surprised if he does not bcom a 50+ avg batsmen for India .

Babar , have always rated him highly , hes got a very good all round game . The flip side is hes got the same weakness as Akmal brother , plays his shots away from his body , but to a much lesser extent . I think he will be a long term No3 in ODI's and No4 in Tests for Pakistan . He will be a more successful ODI bat than in Tests imo though .
 
Anis10 said:
Btw Babar played against this guy named Chand during under 19s, what happened to him, he scored a century in the final and everyone though that he was going to be the next kohli
Click to expand...

He's not developed yet, have average season so far! can't see him breaking in to Indian team near future!
 
Rahul is very inconsistent. He had his share of brain fads and I think he shouldn't be over estimated based on a few IPL innings. I remember his dismissal in his first test. Dropped at 0 and was out slogging the next ball for a duck. He was dropped on a very low score in Sydney before his 100. In SL, his twin dismissals (bowled I think) while shouldering arms indicates that his judgement isn't that good. I never considered him an LOI bat considering his boring knocks while he was part of SRH. He seems to prosper on his home track in Bangalore where the pitch is the flattest in the country. Please correct me if I'm wrong but I assume majority of his FC runs are in B'lore as well.

Babar is talented and has performed well so far in LOIs. He doesn't get bogged down much and is a free flowing batsman. The pressure on Babar is very high and he coped well so far.

At this point, Babar beats Rahul hands down. But, as someone said, India grooms their batsmen well. Rahul has a huge contingent that can support him to get to the next level. Babar needs to counter the mediocrity around him, the politics in the team, the expectations of the fans to get to another level. The odds are against him. Have to wait and see how this pans out.
 
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Lokesh is part of a better system.

It's why at U19 level Nasir Jamshed and Rohit Sharma were around the same level, in fact, for a period of time Jamshed was ahead of Rohit as an ODI batsman, but because Rohit was part of a better system, he surpassed him.

So if history and Umar Akmal v Virat Kohli thread is anything to go by, Rahul might go past him.

But as it stands now I'd say Babar-e-Azam is better :jinnah
 
Mamoon said:
Babar might be more talented and better at this stage, but India develops their batsmen much better.

In addition, Rahul will play around players like Kohli and Rahane while Babar is surrounded by not a single great ODI player and in Tests, limited batsmen like Younis, Misbah and Azhar.

If Babar develops better than Rahul and has a better career, then it means that he is much more gifted than Rahul.
Click to expand...

haha i thought Azhar was your favorite?
 
JaDed said:
In the Indian test team?Would surely make it into the team once Dhawan,Sharma are shown the door.

Rahul along with Pandey upcoming future.
Click to expand...
Rohit and Dhawan is not going anywhere. Pujara and Rahane are class above. They have already delivered. And then the young ones (From the U-19) are immensely talented as well. Kohli's (captain) team-mate is his biggest endorsement just like Jadeja-Dhoni.
 
I never hype up Pakistani batsmen but Babar is the future of our batting
 
Lokesh should be given a go.. I mean how bad can it get compared to rohit and dhawan ?
 
rhony said:
Rahul is very inconsistent. He had his share of brain fads and I think he shouldn't be over estimated based on a few IPL innings. I remember his dismissal in his first test. Dropped at 0 and was out slogging the next ball for a duck. He was dropped on a very low score in Sydney before his 100. In SL, his twin dismissals (bowled I think) while shouldering arms indicates that his judgement isn't that good. I never considered him an LOI bat considering his boring knocks while he was part of SRH. He seems to prosper on his home track in Bangalore where the pitch is the flattest in the country. Please correct me if I'm wrong but I assume majority of his FC runs are in B'lore as well.

Babar is talented and has performed well so far in LOIs. He doesn't get bogged down much and is a free flowing batsman. The pressure on Babar is very high and he coped well so far.

At this point, Babar beats Rahul hands down. But, as someone said, India grooms their batsmen well. Rahul has a huge contingent that can support him to get to the next level. Babar needs to counter the mediocrity around him, the politics in the team, the expectations of the fans to get to another level. The odds are against him. Have to wait and see how this pans out.
Click to expand...

Rahul is not rated cos of his IPL performances , its his U-19 and then Domestic showing which got him a call into the Indian side.

you couldn't be more wrong . if you watched his domestic season , he scored most of his runs on difficult pitches . And Karnataka does not play on these flat pitches ( half the time they dont plat in Bangalore either ) in domestic , its always made to assist its seamers .
 
msb314 said:
haha i thought Azhar was your favorite?
Click to expand...

I like Azhar, but why should I make him something that he is not?

He is a limited batsman and not top tier material.

Top tier batsmen are the likes of Kohli, Root, Smith, Williamson, Mathews etc. I never said Azhar is in their league.
 
Mamoon said:
I like Azhar, but why should I make him something that he is not?

He is a limited batsman and not top tier material.

Top tier batsmen are the likes of Kohli, Root, Smith, Williamson, Mathews etc. I never said Azhar is in their league.
Click to expand...

He's the 2nd tier right? Personally think he will go down as a very good test match batsmen for us
 
Mamoon said:
He just about gets into tier-2.
Click to expand...

He's played some good knocks for us, on his 1st tour of England he didn't too badly think he will do well this time. Anderson called azhar a world class batsmen before our uae series. So he's well respected
 
Hasan123 said:
He's played some good knocks for us, on his 1st tour of England he didn't too badly think he will do well this time. Anderson called azhar a world class batsmen before our uae series. So he's well respected
Click to expand...

English players respect Azhar Ali. He has a classical English technique which he developed by playing club cricket in Scotland early in his career and is an old school Test cricketer which the English prefer.

Also, he has played some good knocks against them.

I'm hopeful that he will score at least one hundred in the series. He negotiates the new ball better than anyone in the country and has very good discipline.

It will be great to see him on the Lord's Honor Board.
 
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