Babar Azam versus Lokesh Rahul

[saeed5646]

i actually like this comparison both are exciting talent one is dasher Rahul while babar is more of nudger who

has solid technique .lets see how both will do in future

 

[fazleefridi]

Throw this Rahul out.

There our neighbour is averaging 50+ and scoring runs in oz.. But he is a sitting duck.

Didn't perform once, in the whole series.

Raina Vs Akmal, Raina won

Kohli Vs Shehzad, Kohli won

Rahul Vs Babar, it appears, we won't be leading this time.

 

[saeed5646]

Throw this Rahul out.

There our neighbour is averaging 50+ and scoring runs in oz.. But he is a sitting duck.

Didn't perform once, in the whole series.

Raina Vs Akmal, Raina won

Kohli Vs Shehzad, Kohli won

Rahul Vs Babar, it appears, we won't be leading this time.

hahhaha you are desperate for whitewash against us don,t be so ruthless

and i think the way kohli backs and rate rahul he will find his form very quickly and this will be again

become close battle

 

[Ab Fan]

Rahul need to learn to use his brain while playing.

 

[saeed5646]

Batting position is not the issue. Babar is a top-order player and this where he has to play. When an opener debuts, he is not dropped down the order so that he is protected from the new ball, it is his job to handle it. You sink or you swim.

now tell how is good currently

 

[Mamoon]

now tell how is good currently

Didn't understand, sorry. Come again?

 

[saeed5646]

Didn't understand, sorry. Come again?

in your opnion currently who is better rahul or babar azam

 

[Mamoon]

in your opnion who is better rahul or babar azam

Time will tell. Both have great potential, but India is lightyears ahead of us with their batting culture. Rahul certainly has a much better environment to thrive in.

So far, Rahul has been better in Tests and T20s while Babar has done better in ODIs.

 

[Syed1]

Lol Babar wipes the floor with IPL supa star

This is what I said back in September, still holds true

 

[street cricketer]

This is what I said back in September, still holds true

KL is better in the real cricket though.

 

[Bilal7]

Time will tell. Both have great potential, but India is lightyears ahead of us with their batting culture. Rahul certainly has a much better environment to thrive in.

So far, Rahul has been better in Tests and T20s while Babar has done better in ODIs.

Which simply tells us that Babar is the much more naturally talented player and the better one currently. Much can change over the next ten years but for our sake, I hope Babar can be a great, all-format batsman for Pakistan.

 

[Syed1]

KL is better in the real cricket though.

KL has more chance of succeeding, just look at his teammates.

21 year old Babar is already carrying our entire batting lineup.

 

[Mamoon]

Which simply tells us that Babar is the much more naturally talented player and the better one currently. Much can change over the next ten years but for our sake, I hope Babar can be a great, all-format batsman for Pakistan.

Both are good enough for all three formats. Babar struggling in Tests and Rahul struggling in ODIs or T20s at the moment doesn't really mean much. They have the temperament plus the range of shots.

Let's just hope that 4-5 years down the line, it doesn't become a disaster like the Kohli vs Umar comparison thread.

 

[street cricketer]

I hope the thread I started goes very long and hits many more pages. I urge people to get more fiery.

#chotichotikhushiyon

 

[street cricketer]

KL has more chance of succeeding, just look at his teammates.

21 year old Babar is already carrying our entire batting lineup.

Doesn't explain his struggle in test cricket though because your test team is pretty strong unlike your LOI one.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Babar Azam is a solid player and I've been a fan since his under 16 days but the truth is, if Babar continues with his borderline selfish cricket and doesn't introduce firepower into his game, Lokesh Rahul may get ahead of him. Azam needs to build strength and start looking for the boundary more often, otherwise, he may well become into another Ahmed Shehzad (I seriously hope not). The game is evolving everyday and has become so fast paced that you do not have the luxury of not being able to cover the boundary every now and then and still be regarded as one of the bests. Not in LOI's.

 

[saeed5646]

Time will tell. Both have great potential, but India is lightyears ahead of us with their batting culture. Rahul certainly has a much better environment to thrive in.

So far, Rahul has been better in Tests and T20s while Babar has done better in ODIs.

hmmm interesting i think babar azam was mentally undone by hazlewood in test series .i think he will

do well in west indies and proves his worth for test side

 

[saeed5646]

Doesn't explain his struggle in test cricket though because your test team is pretty strong unlike your LOI one.

unfair to judge on one test series which was his first on aus pitches .he will i think thrives in west indies like

rahul

 

[street cricketer]

unfair to judge on one test series which was his first on aus pitches .he will i think thrives in west indies like

rahul

Rahul did score a ton in just his 2nd test at Sydney..

 

[Bilal7]

Rahul did score a ton in just his 2nd test at Sydney..

Umar did something similar but that doesn't mean much unless Rahul can keep it up. Plus, there is no comparison between the pitches Rahul batted on and the ones Babar batted on.

Doesn't explain his struggle in test cricket though because your test team is pretty strong unlike your LOI one.

First overseas tours against pretty good attacks.

 

[Pantani]

Babar Azam is a solid player and I've been a fan since his under 16 days but the truth is, if Babar continues with his borderline selfish cricket and doesn't introduce firepower into his game, Lokesh Rahul may get ahead of him. Azam needs to build strength and start looking for the boundary more often, otherwise, he may well become into another Ahmed Shehzad (I seriously hope not). The game is evolving everyday and has become so fast paced that you do not have the luxury of not being able to cover the boundary every now and then and still be regarded as one of the bests. Not in LOI's.

He is only 21. Kohli didn't have immense power at that age. Babar can put on muscle in years to come. Right now he should focus on developing technical skill, mental strength, fitness/running between wickets. Power is the lowest priority

You can look at a guy like Sangakkara, who didn't have power in his game at all until mid-30s but because he has mastered everything else, by the time he developed power he became the most consistent ODI batsman around

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Babar ahead without a question of doubt.

But Rahul is an amazing talent. He needs to get his head straight.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Babar ahead without a question of doubt.

But Rahul is an amazing talent. He needs to get his head straight.

In ODIs.

 

[ExpressPacer]

He is only 21. Kohli didn't have immense power at that age. Babar can put on muscle in years to come. Right now he should focus on developing technical skill, mental strength, fitness/running between wickets. Power is the lowest priority

You can look at a guy like Sangakkara, who didn't have power in his game at all until mid-30s but because he has mastered everything else, by the time he developed power he became the most consistent ODI batsman around

Yes, I would agree. He is most definitely the best bet we have and most of us get carried away and pin too many hopes on him or any other player that shows a little bit of hope.

 

[Rotoman]

KL Rahul is obviously a better batsman. Babar has disappointed me. I had hoped he would step up a level in tests and not repeat his first class performance. As of now it's not even a contest. Babar's best score in this series is 23 and Rahul scored a century in his debut tour of Aus.

 

[Pollack]

Rahul is better and I am not biased. I say as I see. I rate Babar as well. Rahul is temporarily confused. He seems to have lost self belief all of a sudden reflects in his batting last few innings.He hangs around kohli and co. Only a matter of time before he bounce back.

 

[Drreddymd]

Rahul is better and I am not biased. I say as I see. I rate Babar as well. Rahul is temporarily confused. He seems to have lost self belief all of a sudden reflects in his batting last few innings.He hangs around kohli and co. Only a matter of time before he bounce back.

To all the indian fans rating rahul i beg to differ. He is what u call all or nothing player. If he gets in he goes big but if he fails he fails miserably and not even cross 10 runs most of the time. Thats why he averages in the 30 s inspite of scoring like 4 tons in 11 tests because in the remaining innings he crossed 50 once and above 30 once.

He plays too many shots, doesnt have solid defence to grind out runs. If it is his day he may score

Inaddition to his batting his fielding and catching is abysmal.

 

[Drreddymd]

Upto now babar in odis by a landslide and rahul a better batsmen in tests and not by a lanslide as babar in odis

 

[Drreddymd]

India cannot bank on such players who are so inconsistent particularly in short forms. A player should atleast score above 30 runs in his average days and score more than hundred in his good days. Rahul has no average days. He is either abysmal or a million bucks and nothing in between upto now.

 

[Drreddymd]

India cannot afford hit and miss players like dhawan, rahul, rohit in the team. We need solid players who u can bank on and not players whose good days nobody can predict and even the player himself cannot

 

[Hawkeye]

I hope the thread I started goes very long and hits many more pages. I urge people to get more fiery.

#chotichotikhushiyon

Will be a balanced thread.

Babar will remain > KL in ODIs.

So far, KL > Babar in Tests. Likely to stay like this for 1-2 years.

 

[blue_champion]

In Tests it is a no-brainer Rahul is leagues ahead.

in ODI's and T20's while Azam has done well..here is the difference-There is no scope of playing for yourself to get to a 30-40 or just plugging away in the Indian LOI side,so Rahul has to get going or perish,so naturally he will have more failures...Azam on the other hand seems to go in 2nd gear regardless of chasing 200 or 400.

Overall Rahul.

 

[Drreddymd]

In Tests it is a no-brainer Rahul is leagues ahead.

in ODI's and T20's while Azam has done well..here is the difference-There is no scope of playing for yourself to get to a 30-40 or just plugging away in the Indian LOI side,so Rahul has to get going or perish,so naturally he will have more failures...Azam on the other hand seems to go in 2nd gear regardless of chasing 200 or 400.

Overall Rahul.

So according to u babar is playimg for himself by staying at the crease and Rahul Playing for the team by playing loose and getting out to single digit scores

 

[Sidilicious]

Which simply tells us that Babar is the much more naturally talented player and the better one currently. Much can change over the next ten years but for our sake, I hope Babar can be a great, all-format batsman for Pakistan.

Please tell me that you still dont think that Umar Akmal is more talented than Virat

 

[Hasan123]

Babar in LO, KL in tests.

 

[Mamoon]

KL Rahul will be India's second best batsman of this generation. He is better than Rahane, Pujara and Rohit.

 

[Pollack]

KL Rahul will be India's second best batsman of this generation. He is better than Rahane, Pujara and Rohit.

That would be rishabh pant. Ridiculous as it may sound now.

 

[Mamoon]

That would be rishabh pant. Ridiculous as it may sound now.

Maybe, haven't seen him play yet.

 

[Pollack]

Also Rishabh pant would be even better test batsman than odi..bookmark this two posts

 

[Pollack]

India cannot bank on such players who are so inconsistent particularly in short forms. A player should atleast score above 30 runs in his average days and score more than hundred in his good days. Rahul has no average days. He is either abysmal or a million bucks and nothing in between upto now.

Few bad games.Trust me.He will sort out consistency issues that you talk off slowly.Even if he doesn't all or nothing player is the best thing to have in your team.Wouldn't play match loosing innings when not in form atleast.

 

[Rayyman]

I hope the thread I started goes very long and hits many more pages. I urge people to get more fiery.

#chotichotikhushiyon

I honestly think Rahul vs Shehzad would've been better. Both are the same age too. Get somebody else to compare to Babar lol.

 

[Aman]

I wouldn't write off Rahul in ODI's, he has a few more gears than Babar in the shorter formats.

I'd be surprised if he doesn't finish as the better LOI batsmen.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Babar is currently the best Asian ODI batsman after Kohli. Superb talent! Rahul is nowhere near in ODIs.

 

[fazleefridi]

Rahul is like a Kid, who's learning in an International school.

If he wills, he could learn from his highly qualified and knowledgeable teachers(dhoni,kohli,dravid)

Babar is more knowledgeable, unfortunately he's like studying in a government school, where the teachers are clearly short of knowledge(azhar, hafeez, akmal, malik) and he has to learn by his mistakes.

What has to be seen is, does Rahul has the hunger to learn from his mentors and does Babar has the hunger to learn from his mistakes.

I wish both to learn, and come good for the WC'19

 

[JattMaula]

I hope the thread I started goes very long and hits many more pages. I urge people to get more fiery.

#chotichotikhushiyon

I too urge people to get more judgemental. Be more critical and dismissive. 15 more years of careers left for both.

Lambi race chalegi.

 

[street cricketer]

Umar did something similar but that doesn't mean much unless Rahul can keep it up. Plus, there is no comparison between the pitches Rahul batted on and the ones Babar batted on.

Agreed, the pitches Pakistan played were very flat. Wasn't it at Sydney where Warner scored a century in a session?

First overseas tours against pretty good attacks.

Rahul debuted in Australia actually and got his ton against a much stronger attack.

 

[street cricketer]

Rahul is like a Kid, who's learning in an International school.

If he wills, he could learn from his highly qualified and knowledgeable teachers(dhoni,kohli,dravid)

Babar is more knowledgeable, unfortunately he's like studying in a government school, where the teachers are clearly short of knowledge(azhar, hafeez, akmal, malik) and he has to learn by his mistakes.

What has to be seen is, does Rahul has the hunger to learn from his mentors and does Babar has the hunger to learn from his mistakes.

I wish both to learn, and come good for the WC'19

Rahul can just learn from school teachers, irrespective of whether they are from a government school or an international school.

But Babar can learn from the Professor himself.

Enough said.

 

[Madplayer]

babar azam needs to more muscles. If he gets that muscular strength, you will a beast who will be hard to match.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

babar azam needs to more muscles. If he gets that muscular strength, you will a beast who will be hard to match.

In time my friend. It's a slow process and he's working on it. He will eventually reach a level above any Pakistani batsman since Miandad

 

[Kaiser_Soze]

That would be rishabh pant. Ridiculous as it may sound now.

No way he will get chance in tests until Saha or Parthiv are in their deathbeds. In LOI , Dhoni will be there forever . So Pant can say bye bye unless he can be incredibly motivated to wait and parallel y perform domestically.

 

[Al-Canon]

Despite Babar being #10 on ODI batsmen and averaging over 50, some posters are telling you here that Rahul is the better ODI batsmen. This is what happens when blind patriotism overlooks sense and logistics.

 

[JaDed]

Despite Babar being #10 on ODI batsmen and averaging over 50, some posters are telling you here that Rahul is the better ODI batsmen. This is what happens when blind patriotism overlooks sense and logistics.

Mohammad Nabi and Jason Holder are ranked above all Pakistani pacers surely he is the better than Amir in that logic no?

 

[Al-Canon]

Yes Holder and Nani are ranked higher that's why there's threads for their comparison right? Oh and that's why they average lower than Amir right? I'm a fan of Rahul and believe he has a wider range of shots and more power but he is below Babar as of right now in ODI's.

 

[Pollack]

71 of 41 balls by K L Rahul on a slow pitch where even root scored run a ball and struggling to time. Although t20 but still its loi

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

As said before, he is a great talent.

But has to get his head straight and get out of the feast or famine mode.

 

[Sin Nombre]

Rahul is the bigger match winner, Babar is the more consistent in LOI cricket.

 

[Madplayer]

71 of 41 balls by K L Rahul on a slow pitch where even root scored run a ball and struggling to time. Although t20 but still its loi

The pitch became worse in the second innings.

 

[Midwinter13992]

Rahul is better in tests and probably a better hitter in t20s but Babar's heroics in Australia puts him ahead of Rahul in ODIs...

 

[street cricketer]

He is a phenomenal stroke player in the mould of the modern LOI player as well as being a very talented test batsman.

However his achilles heel has always been his consistency. Looks a million bucks in one day and struggles another day. Still think he has very high potential and can be the best all format batsman for India after Kohli.

 

[Pollack]

The pitch became worse in the second innings.

Everyone in Indian lineup were also not timing properly.

 

[Rotoman]

The pitch didn't become worse, the Indian batsmen other than KL were struggling exactly like England batsmen struggled at the end. If anything the dew helped England because the ball slided on to the bat when Indian spinners were bowling.

 

[Drreddymd]

Today he is in feast mode. Lets see if he can continue to feast a lot longer and wipe out his famine performances because as of now his famines are more than his feasts

 

[Anis10]

I seen his interview he seemed like a bright lad

Good luck to him

 

[RamLakhan]

Rahul should keep up his temperament high and stay focused with the bat! He has to concentrate a lot and grab that opportunity to become the mainstay opener for all formats (without losing his defense and without slogging! Actually he doesn't need to play too many shots once Rohit gets back in LOIs, and then Kohli coming later) He definitely has no chance of competing with other players in the middle order, because he cannot slog (successfully), cannot add another dimension (part-time bowling), not that great in the field either.

Hence he should be immensely strong & focused as an "opener", that is the only way he can prosper & excel! Otherwise he may have to forcefully take up the wicket-keeper job to fight for a place in ODI side like another Rahul in the past (Dravid). But given his fragile physique I don't think he can maintain the fitness with wicket-keeping, hence he may end up as only Test Specialist! So these are my two cents of advice!

 

[Pollack]

Rahul should keep up his temperament high and stay focused with the bat! He has to concentrate a lot and grab that opportunity to become the mainstay opener for all formats (without losing his defense and without slogging! Actually he doesn't need to play too many shots once Rohit gets back in LOIs, and then Kohli coming later) He definitely has no chance of competing with other players in the middle order, because he cannot slog (successfully), cannot add another dimension (part-time bowling), not that great in the field either.

Hence he should be immensely strong & focused as an "opener", that is the only way he can prosper & excel! Otherwise he may have to forcefully take up the wicket-keeper job to fight for a place in ODI side like another Rahul in the past (Dravid). But given his fragile physique I don't think he can maintain the fitness with wicket-keeping, hence he may end up as only Test Specialist! So these are my two cents of advice!

Rahul can easily slog in middle order and play at any position. But he is too good a player to be wasted down the order. Positions 1/2, 3 and 4 are only positions where he would not be wasted. No 3 is reserved for kohli in odi's. So either opener or no 4 batsman. Down the order he can play but that would not be the smartest thing to do with such talented batsman.

 

[RamLakhan]

Rahul can easily slog in middle order and play at any position. But he is too good a player to be wasted down the order. Positions 1/2, 3 and 4 are only positions where he would not be wasted. No 3 is reserved for kohli in odi's. So either opener or no 4 batsman. Down the order he can play but that would not be the smartest thing to do with such talented batsman.

You see the brighter side of him, I am seeing the weaker side (He has definitely shown weaker temperament in his brief international stint so far.) I think he cannot just slog. He has to go in the Sachin, Ganguly or at least Gambhir mode (building the innings and then going with the flow after settling on the pitch). Yes he is an immensely talented player, but that doesn't mean he has no weakness (his fitness & fielding is a concern). We lost another immensely talented player from the same state for same reasons! Uthappa was technically so correct (Huge front foot while driving and strong on back foot also), added to that he was even better power-hitter & slogger!

 

[JattMaula]

You see the brighter side of him, I am seeing the weaker side (He has definitely shown weaker temperament in his brief international stint so far.) I think he cannot just slog. He has to go in the Sachin, Ganguly or at least Gambhir mode (building the innings and then going with the flow after settling on the pitch). Yes he is an immensely talented player, but that doesn't mean he has no weakness (his fitness & fielding is a concern). We lost another immensely talented player from the same state for same reasons! Uthappa was technically so correct (Huge front foot while driving and strong on back foot also), added to that he was even better power-hitter & slogger!

Pravin Amre changed Uthappa's technique for better. Before he was a power player only. But he was never Rahul level skill and talentwise even after the change.

 

[RamLakhan]

Pravin Amre changed Uthappa's technique for better. Before he was a power player only. But he was never Rahul level skill and talentwise even after the change.

Just talent alone cannot guarantee anything! I wonder Rohit & Dhawan maybe preferred over Rahul in CT (if both are fit). Hence these are important matches for him (glad that he clicked yesterday), that's the reason I am talking about attitude problems common in both these guys. Uthappa would also have been a good asset to India with his power hitting, if not his technique. We need all kind of players!

 

[street cricketer]

Uthappa is one player I've always been disappointed with. With his talent, he should have definitely played more for India but he couldn't for some reason. Was a loss for us. Rather he couldn't break into the opening partnership of Sehwag-Sachin or Sehwag-Gambhir..

 

[street cricketer]

However I'm sure Rahul will have a bright future. You can tell the future of a player from how much he "wants" success. Rahul is a very hard working guy and has a fantastic work ethic. It's clear from his body language that he gets very disappointed with low scores.

I just hope he doesn't beat himself over it and look to be himself - a fine stroke player.

 

[jusarrived]

Which simply tells us that Babar is the much more naturally talented player and the better one currently. Much can change over the next ten years but for our sake, I hope Babar can be a great, all-format batsman for Pakistan.

I always heard from you that only Tests was the real deal , not important here I guess ?

 

[JattMaula]

Just talent alone cannot guarantee anything!

Agreed 300%.

But Rahul isn't A lazy "tailunt" like Rohit. He is hardworking and recently changed his whole attitude to be able to play LO's. Once he finds a working method to balance his game in different formats he will be more consistent.

 

[Stallion__]

Rahul seems such a quality batsman whenever I have watched him. Unfortunately, it's been two years since his debut and he is still a boom or bust player. And it's the last thing you want in your opener. He has the advantage of having better mentorship and environment as compared to Babar. He can achieve greater heights than Babar if he can sort his nervousness in the early part of his innings. But it's not always easy for everyone, particularly for an opener. Let's see when his breakthrough series comes.

 

[Hawkeye]

Looks like a better accelerator than Babar, someone who can score fast and at above 120 Strike rate.

 

[Gunner85]

Rahul is clearly a better batsman than babar.his alround game is leagues ahead of azam

 

[Ellipsism]

Rahul is clearly a better batsman than babar.his alround game is leagues ahead of azam

Care to elaborate

 

[Pollack]

Care to elaborate

I think he meant he can build innings,accumulate or accelerate according to the need of the situation. Can bat at any position in any format.Hence he has all round game while Babar is very good in innings building and a solid number 3 batsman. But its just early daysdays for him. Allow him to play and improve rather pointless hype.

 

[Bilal7]

I always heard from you that only Tests was the real deal , not important here I guess ?

Let Babar play in the West Indies.

 

[Gunner85]

Let Babar play in the West Indies.

Rahul already has a test ton in Australia on his debut series

 

[jusarrived]

Let Babar play in the West Indies.

and thats because ?