Babar Azam versus Lokesh Rahul

[Slog]

Yeah it was selfish, but the king of selfish hundred title is still with Babar, the one he scored against Australia in 2017.

Pakistan were chasing 370, and his 50 came in 75 balls.

The King of Selfish Hundred title has been with Sachin since 2011/12 I believe. For his final ever 100 he slowed down so much that he lost his team a match against Bangladesh.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

I don't think it's just depends on him. That means Kohli , Rohit needs to fail consistently in those 30 matches and then KL needs to capitalize on each one of them.

I think we should all be happy if KL can consistently do what he has done in last couple of series. That will be brilliant for him as well as the team.

That is Rahul's problem. If he was as talented and consistent as Babar, he would be playing at numbers 1,2 or 3 for India. He was shifted lower down the order because he could not sustain/perform at the top. Don't make lame excuses. If one has to be compared with Babar, that person needs to have similar performances have good stature and standing. Rahul does not have any of those yet.

 

[Ahmed216]

Rahul did lead a batting lineup on his shoulders in a tough test-series on tough pitches successfully when he was under a real-coach and of course he played real-cricket! Unfortunately he is under commercial/unreal Captain & Coach thereafter!

I dont rate anyone based only on potential. KL till few months ago was regraded as a passenger in the team. I would wait for him translate his potential into more performances. For now every1 knows babar is more highly rated among the fans and experts

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

I dont rate anyone based only on potential. KL till few months ago was regraded as a passenger in the team. I would wait for him translate his potential into more performances. For now every1 knows babar is more highly rated among the fans and experts

Whenever Babar plays in England or Australia, you can hear the commentators hyping him up and the opposition also targeting him. There's a reason why these things happen. He is regarded highly. He's easily one of the most price wickets currently.

 

[RajBan]

That is Rahul's problem. If he was as talented and consistent as Babar, he would be playing at numbers 1,2 or 3 for India. He was shifted lower down the order because he could not sustain/perform at the top. Don't make lame excuses. If one has to be compared with Babar, that person needs to have similar performances have good stature and standing. Rahul does not have any of those yet.

Where did I compare him with Babar or said one is better than the other? I am very well aware of what each have achieved and where they stand within their respective teams or in general, their strengths and capabilities. I don't think it makes sense to compare two really good players and try to glorify one by belittling the other.

 

[AMSS]

Pretty funny to see so many posters from pakistan get antsy that a player who's just about settled in the Indian team is actually better than Pakistan's best in a decade. The GAP is MASSIVE.

 

[London_Lahori]

This seems to be a good position for Rahul, like with T20's, he's freed up and can play naturally.

Some great shots.

 

[Rellu_Katta]

He did faced Australia 'A' bowling attack.

in indian grrounds.... enough said

 

[Ab Fan]

in indian grrounds.... enough said

Whatever.. It's ODi cricket.

 

[Sir-fraz]

Babar is still the more complete batsman. Doesnt matter what rahul is doing now, he has to continue with this output for another couple years. He needs to show that he can produce these numbers at will.

Anyone can have one good year and then tail off we've seen it many times.

At this moment babar is still ahead, i dont care about potential, judge whats before your eyes not what you THINK will happen in 5 years.

T20 WC is coming up soon, we will see how they both fare under pressure.

That will settle atleast one format.

 

[Rellu_Katta]

Whatever.. It's ODi cricket.

dont disagree ... but lets see how he performs over a lengthy period

 

[Ab Fan]

Babar is still the more complete batsman. Doesnt matter what rahul is doing now, he has to continue with this output for another couple years. He needs to show that he can produce these numbers at will.

Anyone can have one good year and then tail off we've seen it many times.

At this moment babar is still ahead, i dont care about potential, judge whats before your eyes not what you THINK will happen in 5 years.

T20 WC is coming up soon, we will see how they both fare under pressure.

That will settle atleast one format.

There is another T20 WC next year.

 

[Sir-fraz]

There is another T20 WC next year.

Well that then gvies these players 2 chances to prove to their fans whos better

 

[Rudi hater]

They both are good players but Barbar is ahead on sheer talent. Rahul is good too.

 

[ak619]

They both are good players but Barbar is ahead on sheer talent. Rahul is good too.

I would say the opposite. On sheer talent, KL is head and shoulders above Babar.

But on output and actual career performance so far, Babar is ahead in ODIs for sure and in Tests as well by a small margin.

In T20Is again, KL is well ahead of Babar.

 

[BreadPakoda]

I would say the opposite. On sheer talent, KL is head and shoulders above Babar.

But on output and actual career performance so far, Babar is ahead in ODIs for sure and in Tests as well by a small margin.

In T20Is again, KL is well ahead of Babar.

KL is more interested in instagram posts while Babar keeps putting in the hard yards.

Babar has totally bullied Bangladesh and Sri Lanka into submission this season. It’s not just about padding up your stats, this will also give him confidence against the bigger oppositions. I predict a productive England tour for Babar even if he bats up the order.

 

[ManFan]

Babar is fast approaching the Fav 5 albeit still with much work to do.

Rahul needs ALOT more consistency to be compared to Babar.

His wilderness period has really left him behind otherwise he was more talented than Babar to begin with.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Both are good. babar is a little ahead in odi and far ahead in tests.
Rahul is better in t20.

rahul can become a middle order player in tests too I suppose.

 

[Mobashir]

Both are good. babar is a little ahead in odi and far ahead in tests.
Rahul is better in t20.

rahul can become a middle order player in tests too I suppose.

Let's see how KL Rahul does in the two test series. We will have a better idea of where he stands.

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

people already consider him as fab 5.even indian players like vvs laxman have praised him and said he is part of fab 5.Rahul is performing well for now but babar is way ahead of him.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Let's see how KL Rahul does in the two test series. We will have a better idea of where he stands.

babar is better because he can carry the team single handedly in test cricket. Rahul has shown signs of brilliance but lacks consistency. When he becomes as consistent as babar again we can then have a discussion about Rahul potentially being as good as babar in odi and tests.

 

[Ab Fan]

Babar is an Indian-like batsmen so its a given that he will end up as a batting great not just test but all formats.

Rahul is very talented but he will find it hard to get into Indian test side as Rohit, Shaw, Agarwal and Gill are also eyeing for top spot in the team.

 

[RamLakhan]

I dont rate anyone based only on potential. KL till few months ago was regraded as a passenger in the team. I would wait for him translate his potential into more performances. For now every1 knows babar is more highly rated among the fans and experts

I mentioned the "performance" which you asked for and not potential! Isn't escaping a tough home-test-series defeat an achievement/performance? I have also heard even Rahul being praised by experts! Didn't deny Babar's rating! He is definitely the best Pakistani batsman produced in a decade, so definitely all the eyeballs would be over him when Pakistan is playing!

 

[spiderreddy]

Kl Rahul's stats post WC19

ODIs : 9 Inn, 535 runs, 67 avg, 100 SR
T20Is : 14 Inn, 582 runs, 49 avg, 142 SR

 

[Mobashir]

Kl Rahul's stats post WC19

ODIs : 9 Inn, 535 runs, 67 avg, 100 SR
T20Is : 14 Inn, 582 runs, 49 avg, 142 SR

Wonderful batting. And more than stats alone he played some good crucial knocks.

 

[SLcric123]

Babar Azam is Pakistan's finest talent since a long time and is already their best batsmen.

Rahul is very good player also but I liked him more around 2015-16 when he looked like a quality test bat. Any chance of him coming back to Indian test team?

 

[tyron_woodley]

babar reminds me of a young pre prime tendulkar.

 

[Saurav]

Babar Azam is Pakistan's finest talent since a long time and is already their best batsmen.

Rahul is very good player also but I liked him more around 2015-16 when he looked like a quality test bat. Any chance of him coming back to Indian test team?

He can in middle order.Long way to go though

 

[Abhilash93]

KL Rahul is my favourite, says Brian Lara

"I follow the West Indies as you know. They did pretty well in Sri Lanka in the T20 version of the game. Around the world, there are so many amazing batsmen to look at. There is Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma. My favourite is K.L. Rahul."

You spoke about KL Rahul. What is special in him that attracts you?

He’s just class. I mean, when you are watching a player, you want to see him play, you want to see great technique, a good aggressive spirit as well. He is a great entertainer, he's a great person to watch bat. This is as simple as that. He's no better batsman than Virat Kohli. Virat is the best batsmen in the world, but it's just the preference of who I like to see bat. No disrespect to anybody else.

Rahul was not part of India’s Test squad against New Zealand. Do you think that he should be given more opportunities in the longer format of the game?

I am not involved in Indian cricket. I just know that with his technique and the way I see him bat, he should not have a problem being in any team. So I don't know if it's the lack of scores or whatever the case may be.. that might be his problem, which he has to work out. I don't think anybody should be given too much of a chance because they look good. He's got the ability to play all forms of the game and to secure his place. He should be one of the first names after Virat Kohli in any Indian team. And (for that to happen), he's in charge of that, not the selectors, not any favours or anything. He's in charge of his own destiny.

Source: https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...kl-rahul-sehwag-interview/article31023789.ece

 

[saeed5646]

 

[Danyaalr01]

 

[spiderreddy]

Man of the match awards won in test cricket

KL Rahul - 2
Babar - 0

 

[Ronaldo7]

Man of the match awards won in test cricket

KL Rahul - 2
Babar - 0

Talk about clutching at straws lol

 

[tyron_woodley]

Man of the match awards won in test cricket

KL Rahul - 2
Babar - 0

lol c'mon man. let it go. Rahul is quality but right now babar is ahead in tests.

babar is a class player. Have to give credit when it's due.

 

[Saurav]

Rahul needs to be given a go in middle order.Replacing Rahane

 

[Ab Fan]

Man of the match awards won in test cricket

KL Rahul - 2
Babar - 0

Are you trying to say, Babar doesn't have a single MOM award in test cricket to his name? Are you sure? <B>Qdk has three MOM awards</B>.

Clearly a level below Rahul and De Kock.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Rahul needs to be given a go in middle order.Replacing Rahane

love that idra

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Man of the match awards won in test cricket

KL Rahul - 2
Babar - 0

LOL. Funny Post of the Week.

 

[Ted123]

Babar is in a different league. Rahul first has to find a place in an Indian test team who are struggling for a decent batsmen who can score some runs overseas.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Babar is in a different league. Rahul first has to find a place in an Indian test team who are struggling for a decent batsmen who can score some runs overseas.

have iyer Rahul and some other young talents like paddikal and jaiswal. Plenty of others like eeshwaran and panchal plus shubman gill. India just don't give them opportunities due to some internal politics.

they will have to eventually when they start losing games again.

to be fair the same team performed well before. It's just that the workload for team india is a lot higher than other teams. So to be conditioned throughout the year will always be a hard task.

 

[DRsohail]

Bump

 

[RainStopsPlay]

Rahul has 149 vs the same attack minus Archer, and scored Test centuries in Aus, too.

Just saying!

 

[BreadPakoda]

Bump

One failure of Babar and the thread gets bumped. Unfair..

 

[Bhaijaan]

Talent wise Rahul is at another level.

Class wise Babar is ahead. He's identical to Sachin in terms of class but Rahul is identical to Azhar bhai in terms of swagger.

 

[Ab Fan]

Babar
QDk
Rahul
Labu

Markram has fallen off now.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

One failure and all the vultures are back. Rahul is good but Babar is at next level. Even Indians subconsciously know this.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

One failure and all the vultures are back. Rahul is good but Babar is at next level. Even Indians subconsciously know this.

umm Rahul has a Test century opening against England in England And Australia in Australia.
199 at home against same albiet a bit younger anderson and broad. He does not get much opportunity at his preferred spot due to strong top 3 batters in India in LOIs.
He will become one of the main fulcrums of Indian batting in future.

 

[Rajdeep]

One failure and all the vultures are back. Rahul is good but Babar is at next level. Even Indians subconsciously know this.

Everyone knows Babar is better but you cant only blame Indians for bumping this thread. Check 4 posts above yours where DRsohail bumped this thread on very 1st day of 1st test when Babar scored 69*.

 

[sharmaji]

Babar is many leagues above Rahul.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Rahul better in t20.

not sure about odi. I would take babar but Rahul is very close in odi too.

babar is better in tests. Far better at the moment. I want to see Rahul at number 5 in the tests for india.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

umm Rahul has a Test century opening against England in England And Australia in Australia.
199 at home against same albiet a bit younger anderson and broad. He does not get much opportunity at his preferred spot due to strong top 3 batters in India in LOIs.
He will become one of the main fulcrums of Indian batting in future.

Did you even watch that England tour where KL Rahul scored a century lol?

Here are his scores
4, 13
8, 10
23, 36
19, 0
37, 149

5 matches 299 runs avg of 29.90 and only 1 century in a dead rubber.

Basically his 149 came in the last inning of the dead rubber test which we eventually lost in the end. Only fans who haven't actually seen that series can celebrate that type of inning. He did nothing in the whole test series and was one of the culprits for that series loss. That time I wanted to drop him from test team so that he doesn't lose his confidence in LOI's but nobody listened and he played against West Indies and flopped again. He was dropped from test team after that.

Babar Azam is a much better test player than KL Rahul. He is someone who can remain consistently in top 5. Rahul should continue playing in LOI's though.

 

[DRsohail]

Did you even watch that England tour where KL Rahul scored a century lol?

Here are his scores
4, 13
8, 10
23, 36
19, 0
37, 149

5 matches 299 runs avg of 29.90 and only 1 century in a dead rubber.

Basically his 149 came in the last inning of the dead rubber test which we eventually lost in the end. Only fans who haven't actually seen that series can celebrate that type of inning. He did nothing in the whole test series and was one of the culprits for that series loss. That time I wanted to drop him from test team so that he doesn't lose his confidence in LOI's but nobody listened and he played against West Indies and flopped again. He was dropped from test team after that.

Babar Azam is a much better test player than KL Rahul. He is someone who can remain consistently in top 5. Rahul should continue playing in LOI's though.

Scorecard warriors lolz.

 

[leg-side-flick]

Talent wise Rahul is at another level.

Class wise Babar is ahead. He's identical to Sachin in terms of class but Rahul is identical to Azhar bhai in terms of swagger.

Who is ahead on Jazbaat and Dileri???

 

[Bhaijaan]

Rahul would have smashed a 50 ball 100 on this pitch today with minimum 5 sixes

 

[Bhaijaan]

Who is ahead on Jazbaat and Dileri???

Jazba - Babar
Daleri - Rahul
Hoshyar - Babar
Badmashi - Rahul

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Jazba - Babar
Daleri - Rahul
Hoshyar - Babar
Badmashi - Rahul

Junoon - Babar

 

[BreadPakoda]

Jazba - Babar
Daleri - Rahul
Hoshyar - Babar
Badmashi - Rahul

What about masli-torh?

 

[Realromeo]

KL Rahul is my favourite batsmen to watch. Man he looks so smooth when he connects.

 

[Bhaijaan]

I just felt curious to re-watch KL Rahul's T20 century in England. He's clearly got another gear of ultra aggressive batting that Babar lacks.

At one point KL Rahul was at 85 from 37 deliveries. Phenomenal hitting.

 

[Varun]

Babar by a country mile.

KL Rahul can enjoy the deafening silence in his beloved IPL.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Babar by a country mile.

KL Rahul can enjoy the deafening silence in his beloved IPL.

Are we talking about T20Is since we have Babar playing a T20I today or is it just a general comment? Because KL is a top T20I batsman.

 

[Ab Fan]

KL was seen as a test quality batsmen more than LOI back when this thread was created. But for the sake of not missing out on a chance of earning dollars from IPL and for more popularity and fame, Rahul focussed on building his game more prolifically for limited overs than tests.

He got those tattoos in and preferred working on his attacking game more than defensive game.

Today, he is a superstar in IPL, one of the best in T20 cricket going around, a pivotal MO ODI batsmen and a temporary wicket keeper but still struggling for a slot in 15 man test squad and with Shaw and Gill knocking the doors, it will only get harder for him.

In contrast, Babar is a superstar not just in Pakistan but across the world and is already seen as a contender of Fab Four alongside QDk.

 

[MenInG]

ICC T20I Rankings: KL Rahul closes in on Babar Azam at the top, Virat Kohli drops to 10

India’s KL Rahul maintained his second spot whereas skipper Virat Kohli moved down to the 10th spot in the latest ICC T20I rankings for batsmen released on Monday. Rahul was in great from in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand which India won 5-0.

Rahul had scored 224 runs at an average of 56 and played an instrumental role in India’s triumph over the Black Caps. Kohli, on the other hand, could manage only 105 runs in the four T20I innings against the Kiwis.

The Indian skipper has been replaced by England captain Eoin Morgan who scored 136 runs from three innings against South Africa and helped them win the series 2-1.

He went past Kohli and his deputy Rohit Sharma to claim the ninth position. Quinton de Kock, Morgan’s opposite number, has climbed as many as 10 spots to occupy the 16th position, after having registered scores of 31, 65 and 35.

Babar Azam remains at the top of the rankings, followed by Rahul and Australia captain Aaron Finch, while the bowling and the all-rounders charts are led by Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi respectively.

England have retained their third position in the team rankings and their series win against South Africa has taken them within two points of second-placed Australia. India come fourth in the list topped by Pakistan.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Hafeez 3.0, Rahul, Butler, Morgan, Maxwell these are the most non carribean T20 batsmen in the world right now.

With due respect to Bobby, he's not a game changer like the above

 

[Bhaijaan]

Babar hits a great hundred at Somerset.

Rahul smacks 132 tonight against RCB.

 

[Rayyman]

Babar hits a great hundred at Somerset.

Rahul smacks 132 tonight against RCB.

I watched Rahul's batting today. He reminded me of Shoaib Malik who when in the zone you cannot bowl to him at the death. Really good T20 player.

But Babar is on another level in Tests/ODIs.

 

[Frontrunner]

Rahul anyday anytime over babar in t-20 cricket...

Babar doesn't even come close... Rahul is miles ahead of him in power hitting.... His range hitting is just sensational...

 

[Bhaijaan]

I watched Rahul's batting today. He reminded me of Shoaib Malik who when in the zone you cannot bowl to him at the death. Really good T20 player.

But Babar is on another level in Tests/ODIs.

Babar is the most breathtaking striker in test cricket right now. He is the gold standard.

.. but if anyone can match Babar at strokeplay in tests, it is Rahul..

Overall it's not even close, KL Rahul is a beast of a talent.

 

[AMSS]

I watched Rahul's batting today. He reminded me of Shoaib Malik who when in the zone you cannot bowl to him at the death. Really good T20 player.

But Babar is on another level in Tests/ODIs.

Yes, Babar with an average of 40 plus is on another level lol

 

[Rana]

He should thank Kohli for the favours, an ageing Steyn on his last legs and some incompetent pace bowling by Saini and Yadav. Not to forget the generous Dube also.

 

[Lurker_Ind]

Rahul is one of the best in power game. Babar is not that kind of batsman. He is more of a finesse player. He should be compared to Amla.

 

[BreadPakoda]

We get it - Rahul is a superior T20 batsman. What's the need of bumping this thread every time just to reinforce this?

 

[Rajdeep]

He should thank Kohli for the favours, an ageing Steyn on his last legs and some incompetent pace bowling by Saini and Yadav. Not to forget the generous Dube also.

TBH Rahul played this kind of knock in internationals as well. His innings against Eng in Manchester is some of the best hittings one will see. However, his powerhitting in T20 cricket hampered his test batting. KL Rahul was a proper first class batsman in Ranji Trophy but later changed his batting style to suit T20 demands.

 

[tyron_woodley]

oh god not this again.

Rahul probably better In t20.

babar is way better in tests right now.
Rahul is very good in odi too but babar is still better.

 

[Ashmal]

KL Rahul looks in great touch but he has dominated in IPL before as well.

I remember him doing well in IPL 2018 but he went on to have his worst year in international cricket that season.

Challenge for him is to replicate this form in ODIs and specially tests. He looked horrible the last time he played test cricket.

 

[Rayyman]

Yes, Babar with an average of 40 plus is on another level lol

Yea and Rahul barely averages 35

 

[TNAmarkFromIndia]

Rahul needs a consistent run at one single spot for India. You can't keep switching him from opening to No. 3 then to No. 5 and then expect consistency.

 

[zain7077]

Babar is soon to be a 50+ averaging test batsman. Everyone knows it. These Indians are the same people who limited him to a 30 average when he was struggling earlier on. KL won't play many more tests for India.

 

[Varun]

These pyjama parties don't matter.

Babar is the king in the real thing, where Rahul has waved the white flag.

 

[ufcfan]

T20s are all about impact ,rankings don't matter,no matter who tops it