What's new

Can Babar Azam replace Virat Kohli to claim the #1 position in ODI rankings?

Mobashir said:
Babar is playing at a different level compared to Kohli over the pas 2 years.

And it's not like Kohli is old or what, he should be at his peak or near it.
Click to expand...

If you are comparing Babar’s purple patch with Kohli’s lean patch, it simply illustrates how far ahead Kohli is.

Over the last two years, Rohit Sharma has been the best batsman in the world.

Then comes Kane Williamson followed by Smith and Kohli. Babar would be on par with Root but behind the other 4 batsmen.

You will of course say no but I am not interested in your delusions. I am talking about the general perception because the world doesn’t revolve around a mediocre team like Pakistan.
 
Mamoon said:
If you are comparing Babar’s purple patch with Kohli’s lean patch, it simply illustrates how far ahead Kohli is.

Over the last two years, Rohit Sharma has been the best batsman in the world.

Then comes Kane Williamson followed by Smith and Kohli. Babar would be on par with Root but behind the other 4 batsmen.

You will of course say no but I am not interested in your delusions. I am talking about the general perception because the world doesn’t revolve around a mediocre team like Pakistan.
Click to expand...

That’s a better comparison, I actually think Root and Babar are quiet similar, both technically sound and anchors for their team, unfortunately for Pakistan, they lack the depth of England so Babar’s knocks wont be celebrated as much because Pak will lose more often. Root is a better player of spin, while Babar is the superior timer of the ball against pace.
 
Bewal Express said:
For Babar to get to Kohlis level, he needs to play more against good teams both home and away. Babar treated both the beasts of the IPL like they were FC bowlers and it was just overconfidence that cost him.
Click to expand...

It appears that the "beast of IPL" is bowling well within himself. Not a good time to get injured and lose all that money with the IPL just around the corner.

A comment from a popular cricket website: "Why has Rabada dropped in pace? He was an exciting talent when his pace used to up in the 140s and upwards"
 
shaz619 said:
That’s a better comparison, I actually think Root and Babar are quiet similar, both technically sound and anchors for their team, unfortunately for Pakistan, they lack the depth of England so Babar’s knocks wont be celebrated as much because Pak will lose more often. Root is a better player of spin, while Babar is the superior timer of the ball against pace.
Click to expand...

Root is a much better batsman overall. I was only comparing them performances over the last two years.
 
Napa said:
It appears that the "beast of IPL" is bowling well within himself. Not a good time to get injured and lose all that money with the IPL just around the corner.

A comment from a popular cricket website: "Why has Rabada dropped in pace? He was an exciting talent when his pace used to up in the 140s and upwards"
Click to expand...

Nortje was bowling quick and Rabada wasn't exactly slow. The best of it was that it wasn't lucky, just a beautiful dissection
 
Bewal Express said:
Nortje was bowling quick and Rabada wasn't exactly slow. The best of it was that it wasn't lucky, just a beautiful dissection
Click to expand...

Just noting something about Rabada. Not arguing that it was a great innings by Babar with sublime strokes.
 
IMMY69 said:
I agree.

He's box office, absolutely sublime.
When he's batting he almost always looks a class apart from anyone.
Click to expand...

His technique is incredible, as perfect as you can get , straight out of the MCC's coaching manual. :wg

A lot of great batsmen are either too botoom handed esp Asians, or they cant play the short ball or cant play swing, cant leave or cant find gaps but Babar has no real weaknesses. The only weakness is playing for Pakistan when they are in bad form, this puts serious pressure on him but the lad is now skipper and seems to be enjoying this role along with his batting.

I'd pay money to watch him live every week, makes you love cricket like a child again. Looking forward to seeing him in England this summer esp at Edgbastion, the atmosphere will be electric when he's at the crease.
 
Napa said:
Just noting something about Rabada. Not arguing that it was a great innings by Babar with sublime strokes.
Click to expand...

Rabada has never been the same bowler since the Warner Smith scandal. His lengths aren't just right and he lacks sharpness.
 
Mamoon said:
If you are comparing Babar’s purple patch with Kohli’s lean patch, it simply illustrates how far ahead Kohli is.

Over the last two years, Rohit Sharma has been the best batsman in the world.

Then comes Kane Williamson followed by Smith and Kohli. Babar would be on par with Root but behind the other 4 batsmen.

You will of course say no but I am not interested in your delusions. I am talking about the general perception because the world doesn’t revolve around a mediocre team like Pakistan.
Click to expand...

General perception is what counts more than facts?
 
KingKhanWC said:
His technique is incredible, as perfect as you can get , straight out of the MCC's coaching manual. :wg

A lot of great batsmen are either too botoom handed esp Asians, or they cant play the short ball or cant play swing, cant leave or cant find gaps but Babar has no real weaknesses. The only weakness is playing for Pakistan when they are in bad form, this puts serious pressure on him but the lad is now skipper and seems to be enjoying this role along with his batting.

I'd pay money to watch him live every week, makes you love cricket like a child again. Looking forward to seeing him in England this summer esp at Edgbastion, the atmosphere will be electric when he's at the crease.
Click to expand...

I properly started "properly" following cricket just because of him

I don't even care about the runs just the way he gets tham

Truly a magnificent player

I mean there are some really good players like smith and all

But you wouldn't "pay" to watch tham bat
 
Bigboii said:
I properly started "properly" following cricket just because of him

I don't even care about the runs just the way he gets tham

Truly a magnificent player

I mean there are some really good players like smith and all

But you wouldn't "pay" to watch tham bat
Click to expand...

The way he dominates the best bowler is just incredible.
 
Bigboii said:
I properly started following cricket just because of him

I don't even care about the runs just the way he gets tham

Truly a magnificent player

I mean there are some really good players like smith and all

But you wouldn't "pay" to watch tham bat
Click to expand...

Brilliant post! Captures the essence of why we love Babar.
 
Suleiman said:
chasing down 270 in a pretty low pressure situation compared to the biggest hundreds Kohli has scored under pressure when chasing 300+. That’s why I brought it up in the second paragraph.

Maybe Babar will surpass Kohli, but my point is we’ll know when he performs these hundreds in crunch situations.
Click to expand...

In pressure situations, you wont always see a bucket load of 300+ scores, Kohli said this himself prior to the World Cup in England and he was right, in between the big totals there were quiet a few below 300. In fact during the KO stages don’t think any team scored more then 250 in the WC19. There’s a lot of talk about that 6th gear missing in Babar arsenal, but I think more then that mental fortitude will mean a lot more in crunch situations and providing you have that along with some decent technical ability which he does have, then he should do well. I don’t think we should fixate so much the oppositions total, at best in a pressure scenario I don’t see a team having to chase 300+ more often then not, it takes truly legendary teams to do that e.g Australia in 2007 final, Pak in CT final when India were despicably mauled
 
Mamoon said:
Root is a much better batsman overall. I was only comparing them performances over the last two years.
Click to expand...

In Tests I would agree but in ODI’s and T20 I’d be leaning a bit towards Babar
 
shaz619 said:
In pressure situations, you wont always see a bucket load of 300+ scores, Kohli said this himself prior to the World Cup in England and he was right, in between the big totals there were quiet a few below 300. In fact during the KO stages don’t think any team scored more then 250 in the WC19. There’s a lot of talk about that 6th gear missing in Babar arsenal, but I think more then that mental fortitude will mean a lot more in crunch situations and providing you have that along with some decent technical ability which he does have, then he should do well. I don’t think we should fixate so much the oppositions total, at best in a pressure scenario I don’t see a team having to chase 300+ more often then not, it takes truly legendary teams to do that e.g Australia in 2007 final, Pak in CT final when India were despicably mauled
Click to expand...

Pakistan should accept what they have in a brilliant player that is Babar, no need for any major changes to his game especially in LOI’s. I don’t see Joe Root trying to scoop one over fine leg, if it aint broke don’t fix it. This guy is in the top 10 across all forms and so many people still whinge despite how great he is to watch as well.
 
Babar also has the added pressure of batting with cow dung, Misbah’s era has plagued Pak by taking 20 steps backwards with their approach to LOI batting. Being the captain now to and carrying utter tripe isn’t easy and therefore looking at the S/R without a bit of context is foolish. So much bloody ignorance, we would kill to have a player like Babar in the England top 5
 
Tests:-

1. Smith
2. Kohli
3. Root/ Williamson
5. Babar

ODIs:-

1. Kohli
2. Babar
3. Root
4. Williamson/Smith

T20s:-

1. Kohli
2. Rest

Overall:-

1. Smith/Kohli
2. Root/Kane

Too early to put Babar in league of those four now but in ODIs, he is arguably better than Kane, Root and Smith all three.
 
Ab Fan said:
Tests:-

1. Smith
2. Kohli
3. Root/ Williamson
5. Babar

ODIs:-

1. Kohli
2. Babar
3. Root
4. Williamson/Smith

T20s:-

1. Kohli
2. Rest

Overall:-

1. Smith/Kohli
2. Root/Kane

Too early to put Babar in league of those four now but in ODIs, he is arguably better than Kane, Root and Smith all three.
Click to expand...

He is better then all who are not Indian, you could have spent less time getting to your point ancient one :yk
 
Bigboii said:
I properly started following cricket just because of him

I don't even care about the runs just the way he gets tham

Truly a magnificent player

I mean there are some really good players like smith and all

But you wouldn't "pay" to watch tham bat
Click to expand...

That's what makes the game interesting. The game is watched for entertainment and if you enjoy watching someone then it becomes a lot more fun.
 
One more big knock should take Babar at number 1.

A bigger challenge is to hold it for few years.
 
sivanand82 said:
Certainly Babar is best all format batsman in 2020s.Kohli reign at top is coming to an end.
Click to expand...
It's surprising to see Kohli decline this fast. If he doesn't turn it around, Sachin vs Kohli will be a non discussion.
 
Without a doubt Kohli is a better batsman overall because of the ruthlessness. Ridiculous to suggest he’s been better over the last 2 years though. Babar clearly trumps him.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Babar’s rise is coinciding with Kohli’s drop. Can definitely see this happening.
 
Babar need to play more top teams. Not his fault he hasn't had much chances but he's doing his best against what is presented to him. Somehow conveniently gets injured just before playing top sides lol. Hope he scores some good ones against England and NZ this year
 
Mobashir said:
The way he dominates the best bowler is just incredible.
Click to expand...

The way he was humiliated by Maharaj’s arm deliveries on home pitches while being called the batsman in the world was also incredible.
 
Mobashir said:
General perception is what counts more than facts?
Click to expand...

Babar cannot be the best batsman in the world over the last 2 years by scoring runs against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Mamoon said:
Babar cannot be the best batsman in the world over the last 2 years by scoring runs against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Click to expand...

He scored runs against some of the best teams in the World Cup and now has a hundred away in South Africa, not exactly minnow bashing of old as the likes of Hafeez and Malik would thrive on, Babar can only beat what is front of him anyhow
 
1.Babar clearly better in the last couple of years.
2.Babar also clearly better at the same respective stages of their career.

But of course Kohli is an ATG who has played for many years and achieved many great things so as overall batsman / cricketers, the two cannot be compared yet. Hopefully by the time Babar is 32 and has played 90 tests and 250 ODIs we will be able to compare them, because if that is the case then Babar will be one of the ATGs!
 
Last edited:
Mamoon said:
The way he was humiliated by Maharaj’s arm deliveries on home pitches while being called the batsman in the world was also incredible.
Click to expand...

Just like Tendulkar was frequently “humiliated” by hansie cronje’s dibbly dobblies?
 
NoBallZombie said:
Just like Tendulkar was frequently “humiliated” by hansie cronje’s dibbly dobblies?
Click to expand...

If Babar achieves half of what Tendulkar has, it wouldn’t be a problem if he is humiliated by a poor bowler.

Tendulkar, in spite of struggling against Cronje, is worth more than Miandad, Inzamam, Yousuf and Younis put together.
 
Is it just Babar Azam who is better than Kohli these days?
 
Babar is in his peak years....Kohli has passed his peak. People behave as if they has never seen peak Kohli and what a beast he was. Babar is a very good batsman but he still not in the same level as what Kohli was between 2012-2017 period. A peak Kohli would finish the game yesterday and not get out softly after 100.

Pak fans when talk about Waqar want to talk only about his pre injury peak years and how great he was. But when it comes to Indian players, want to compare the entire career as a whole.

The fact is and [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] is right, peak Kohli is better than any batsman Pakistan has produced in history just like peak Waqar is better than any seamer India has produced.
 
Present Kohli is not even best batsman in India. Rohit, Pant and even Pandya is ahead of him. No point in comparing the best batsman Pakistan produced in last 2 decades with this present Kohli.
 
I shouldn't really be chiming in here because I find these comparison threads never conclusive and they just ebb and flow with a player's form.

What I do know is that Babar played one of the prettiest innings you can imagine while chasing, dominated the attack, scored a century and laid the platform for the win.

He also didn't finish the job which he should have.

Also milestones and drink/lunch/tea breaks are his enemy.

So I don't know what we learnt yesterday that we didn't know about Babar already.

Kohli is an ATG. The year after IPL with all those tours will define where he stands in terms of form and if it is a lean patch or a decline.
 
This is not a valid comparision. You cant be selective in your sample period to peddle a desired narrative.

As much as I like Babar and only got interested in cricket because of him, there is no comparision between the two. Kohli is ahead and will stay ahead. He is the GOAT odi batsman. I dont think there will be another Kohli though there will be many babars.

Also, those fans who think Kohli has passed his peak, they are in for a surprise. He is at his peak. He had a great series against eng. And people will realise it soon in the coming ICC tournaments.
 
Corridor of Uncertainty said:
I shouldn't really be chiming in here because I find these comparison threads never conclusive and they just ebb and flow with a player's form.

What I do know is that Babar played one of the prettiest innings you can imagine while chasing, dominated the attack, scored a century and laid the platform for the win.

He also didn't finish the job which he should have.

Also milestones and drink/lunch/tea breaks are his enemy.

So I don't know what we learnt yesterday that we didn't know about Babar already.

Kohli is an ATG. The year after IPL with all those tours will define where he stands in terms of form and if it is a lean patch or a decline.
Click to expand...
Great post. Loved the ebb and flow part.
 
Babar has not done enough simple. It's not necessarily because Kohli is/was better. it's just that we haven't seen enough of Babar vs top quality. That's not babars fault Pakistan loves those tours with zimbabwe. And it's not like he fails vs those top teams when they do play. He has shown glimpses of brilliance against them too.
 
Mobashir said:
Kohli hasn't been able to win his team a world cup being a top 3 ODI side and you want Babar to win a world cup with this team.
The moment he gets out, the team is finished.
Click to expand...

You obviously didn’t afford the same consideration to Tendulkar when trying your best to belittle his achievements!! Life has come a full circle for you - fate is cruel!!
 
Kohli's lack of domestic games have proved him to be vulnerable against spin at the start. Soon he will come around. He is a very hard worker.
 
The test of true greatness is not becoming #1 for a short period, but to stay at top for couple of years. I doubt that will happen. There are incredibly talented players coming up now from all countries
 
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has added another feather to his illustrious cap as he became the fastest men's cricketer to score 13th centuries in ODI cricket.

Playing in his 78th ODI on Friday, Babar smashed 103 runs to guide his team to a three-wicket win in the first ODI of the three-match series against South Africa at the SuperSport Park. He surpassed former Proteas batsman Hashim Amla and India skipper Virat Kohli to achieve the feat.

Babar has taken just 76 innings to score 13 tons while Amla, who until now was the fastest, had scored his 13th ODI hundred in 83 innings.

Meanwhile, Kohli, who hasn’t scored a ton since 2019, had taken 86 innings to score 13 ODI hundreds. However, the 32-year-old batsman still continues to dominate the ODI rankings. With 857 points, the Indian skipper is at the top of the table, while the Pakistan skipper occupies the second spot with 837 points.

Notably, Australia women's captain Meg Lanning, too, took 76 innings to reach her 13th ODI hundred.

Talking about the match, with this thrilling win, Pakistan has taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. The second game will be played on Sunday at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

After that, the two teams will also play four T20Is.

babar_0.jpg


https://zeenews.india.com/cricket/b...this-big-record-of-india-captain-2352401.html
 
Babar is the best thing that has happened to Pakistan cricket in last 15-20 years. A players like him will definitely inspire the next generation to pick batting seriously. He'll set some batting standards for Pak cricket and young lads would follow him.

Gavaskar was there for Sachin to follow, Sachin for Kohli and Kohli for lads like Shubhman and all. I won't be surprised if Babar does the same for Pak cricket.

Kohli was beast in his prime and still has lot left in him. Babar may not be as good as Kohli of peak, but he is going to play some memorable innings for Pak. Give him some time. He scored hundred in chase yesterday and played some great shots. He'll play a lot of innings like this in future.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ahead of today's 3rd ODI between South Africa and Pakistan, Babar Azam was just 5 points behind Virat Kohli at the top of the ICC ODI Player Rankings:<br><br>Virat Kohli 857 <br>Babar Azam 852 <br>Rohit Sharma 825 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvPAK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1379718179346321408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Expected and achieved. Red hot Babar Azam, has become the best ODI bat now.
 
While I don't think any rational individual would dispute the fact that Kohli is the best ODI batsman in the world and is already making a case as the best ever. But Babar is in the same league as him.

And reaching the top of the ODI rankings would be a massive achievement considering Kohli has occupied that spot forever.
 
Babar lacks power hitting and it was exposed today. This is why even if he becomes no.1 in rankings. Kohli will remain the supreme player and real no.1 in ODIs.
 
All the Great kings and queens of the world have been called selfish like Kobe Mamba, it's written into the fate of a great king

Nevertheless
King is here to reign over his kingdom for years to come :hasan2

Let the haters hate, let the pakophobes squirm in enguish, verily that is their plight

Young prince is the new all powerful king, point him to the throne coronation ceremony has arrived :ba
 
Last edited:
So called Cricket experts called Pakistan Team Talent Less , Lack of Talent , Below cricket Nation , They should die with ashamed. Pakistani Player is Top 1 in ODI , Top 1/2 in T20.

With Return of Cricket back in Pakistan , Just like 90s all Top Position bowling position will be back to Pakistan. Well Done Babar Azam making whole nation proud on you.
 
Congratulations Babar.
Really jealous of the batting depth of Pakistan.
It was the fast bowling factory already.
Now it is a batting factory as well.

Just need a factory of spinners and great fielders and it will become cricket factory.
 
Congrats to Babar but this was so pathetic from Babar.

Actually, when he came out to bat he looked really good he scored 30 odd effortlessly but after that, he completely went into his shell & didn't start hitting until the last over.
 
Bigboii said:
All the Great kings and queens of the world have been called selfish like Kobe Mamba, it's written into the fate of a great king

Nevertheless
King is here to reign over his kingdom for years to come :hasan2

Let the haters hate, let the pakophobes squirm in enguish, verily that is their plight

Young prince is the new all powerful king, point him to the throne coronation ceremony has arrived :ba
Click to expand...

The king is dead. All hail Baadshah Babar.
 
ChTab said:
Congrats to Babar but this was so pathetic from Babar.

Actually, when he came out to bat he looked really good he scored 30 odd effortlessly but after that, he completely went into his shell & didn't start hitting until the last over.
Click to expand...

I wonder why...
 
Why is there not a separate thread on Babar becoming number 1 ODI batsman? This is not some small feat to merge it in a thread. [MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION]
 
He really is a better batsman than Kohli at the moment.

sorry India fans and anti Pakistan agents
 
Slim said:
Why is there not a separate thread on Babar becoming number 1 ODI batsman? This is not some small feat to merge it in a thread. [MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION]
Click to expand...

There will be when it's official.
 
Aman said:
It's surprising to see Kohli decline this fast. If he doesn't turn it around, Sachin vs Kohli will be a non discussion.
Click to expand...

The decline is a bit over rated. He's been scoring 50s to 70s frequently. Infact that's fine with the Indian team considering the middle order can score at a higher rate than him.

One look at the Ind vs Eng scorecards should tell you that centuries by players aren't needed to score 320+. In the entire series, there were only 2 hundreds and one of them was in a losing cause and probably the reason for the loss.
England and India are playing the game at the next level with roles defined based on their effectiveness from overs 1 to 50. If a sport is played truly as a team game, individual hundreds aren't the focus anymore and a batsman would start taking risks as soon as he has performed his role. Having said that, some of his dismissals were strange especially to spinners and there could definitely be some decline but it has been exaggerated. He just scored 5 50s in 8 games and was even the MOS in T20s.

Coming to the topic, I think it's time to talk about big 5 instead of big 4. Babar has dragged himself into the list of master batsmen. He is the youngest of them all and has a higher cieling than all 4.
 
Rankings aside, I am not sure if Babar Azam is the best ODI batsman in the world. Infact, he is not even the best Pakistani LOI batsman and that tag goes to Fakhar Zaman. Babar is a brilliant accumulator in the mould of Hashim Amla, I will give him that. But is the best ODI batsman? Not sure.

What I am absolutely sure though that on present form, Kohli is not the best ODI batsman either.

For me neither Babar nor Kohli are the best ODI batsman currently and not someone whom opponent would lose their sleep over. Kohli had that fear factor between 2012-2017 but Babar (just like Amla) never had that x factor.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BouncerGuy
[PICTURE] Babar Azam named in ICC T20I Team of the Year (2024)
Replies
33
Views
1K
Cricket Warrior
Cricket Warrior
Buffet
Kumar Sangakkara versus Virat Kohli in the Test format
2 3
Replies
177
Views
8K
Hawkeye
H
FearlessRoar
[PICTURES] Is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (2024-25) the final frontier for Virat Kohli's Test career?
2 3 4
Replies
258
Views
10K
Statpadder Inc
S
mominsaigol
Pakistan needs to play more Test cricket
2
Replies
82
Views
3K
mominsaigol
mominsaigol
M
Pakistan's domestic structure is in shambles and contributing to our decline
Replies
12
Views
1K
JibranAnsari
JibranAnsari
Back
Top