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In an undisclosed format, who would you pick to bat for your life; Azhar Ali or Virat Kohli?

shaz619

shaz619

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You don't know the format, it could be either Test, T20 or ODI; who would you pick to bat for you life?

Azhar Ali or Virat Kohli

More recently, Azhar Ali delivered in the CT final against all odds in a high profile game and has done well on tours of Australia and England.

Kohli on the other hand failed in the CT final, failed in England but did ok in Australia during India's tour there.
 
[MENTION=100918]Square Drive[/MENTION] [MENTION=136302]Haz95[/MENTION] [MENTION=139150]aliasad1998[/MENTION] [MENTION=47617]Red Devil[/MENTION] [MENTION=3474]TalhaSyed[/MENTION] [MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION] [MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] [MENTION=141557]Chief Destroyer[/MENTION] [MENTION=131678]Madplayer[/MENTION]
 
Azhar for sure....

Kohli is too prone to get cocky and throw his wicket away.
 
Seriously dude again!! One can never straighten a dogs tail.

And if anything in sport any idiot will always pick the more consistent player rather than the one that performs sporadically. So go figure lol
 
Azhar might be a limited batsman when it comes to stroke play but there's no denying that he's one of the world's toughest batsmen to dislodge. I'd go with Azhar for sure.
 
Red Devil said:
Azhar might be a limited batsman when it comes to stroke play but there's no denying that he's one of the world's toughest batsmen to dislodge. I'd go with Azhar for sure.
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Really kholi average is higher in all formats? if it turned out to be T20 what then? I like Azhar Ali as a batsman a lot but I dont like to be biased.
 
In an undisclosed format, i would go with Azhar. Idk but he looks more assured at the crease for some reason.
 
Pakhs said:
Really kholi average is higher in all formats? if it turned out to be T20 what then? I like Azhar Ali as a batsman a lot but I dont like to be biased.
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Who cares about averages if they're only playing to survive?
 
Red Devil said:
Who cares about averages if they're only playing to survive?
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So T20s and ODIs are survival game? Even Tests are no longer survival game which is Azhar Alis stronger game but kholi is better even in that. Seriously some posters here are way too funny.
 
How is this even a debate? Virat Kohli. He's an absolute beast and you can dish out any stats against him but there's no denying that he's destined for even greater things and perhaps end the game being the greatest player of all time. The bloke averages notches above Azhar in ALL formats of the game for crying out loud! He has everything in his game; aggression, perseverance, assurity, domination, calmness and almost every other thing a batsman would need.

If anything, Azhar gets a point for giving his OWN wicket importance but with a couple of wickets falling or someone bowling express fast at him, he looks like a chicken on tenterhooks!
 
I don't get the hype around Azhar Ali.

Fairly limited player whose head was being called for by large swathes of Pakistani fans until just a couple of weeks ago, when Fakhar started to make him look good.
 
This thread is funny before the final same people were saying azhar should be kicked out and cursing Inzi for selecting him.
 
ExpressPacer said:
How is this even a debate? Virat Kohli. He's an absolute beast and you can dish out any stats against him but there's no denying that he's destined for even greater things and perhaps end the game being the greatest player of all time. The bloke averages notches above Azhar in ALL formats of the game for crying out loud! He has everything in his game; aggression, perseverance, assurity, domination, calmness and almost every other thing a batsman would need.

If anything, Azhar gets a point for giving his OWN wicket importance but with a couple of wickets falling or someone bowling express fast at him, he looks like a chicken on tenterhooks!
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In a high profile scenario when the pressure was on and the stakes had been raised it was Azhar who triumphed and displayed the warrior spirit while Virat Kohli chickened out and quit whilst showing no heart at all during the CT final.

Furthermore, Azhar has also delivered in both England and Australia whilst being a lot more sound technically against lateral movement; his job is tough as it is being an opener but that has not prevented him from scoring runs and while certain forms don't come as naturally the fact that he has a bigger heart, mentally stronger and incredibly resilient; these prove to be pivotal it seems when the going gets tough whilst we can't say the same for Kohli.
 
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shaz619 said:
In a high profile scenario when the pressure was on and the stakes had been raised it was Azhar who triumphed and displayed the warrior spirit while Virat Kohli chickened out and quit whilst showing no heart at all during the CT final.

Furthermore, Azhar has also delivered in both England and Australia whilst being a lot more sound technically against lateral movement; his job is tough as it is being an opener but that has not prevented him from scoring runs and while certain forms don't come as naturally the fact that he has a bigger heart, mentally stronger and incredibly tough; these prove to be pivotal it seems when the going gets tough whilst we can't say the same for Kohli.
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lol shaz mate you been on fire today! I love azhar but kholi averages more in every format. While Azhar doesnt even play T20s. So if its an undisclosed format you cant pick him anyway.
 
Pakhs said:
lol shaz mate you been on fire today! I love azhar but kholi averages more in every format. While Azhar doesnt even play T20s. So if its an undisclosed format you cant pick him anyway.
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Azhar has won his country an ICC Trophy in the 50 over format, Kohli has not.

Azhar has performed in both Australia and England, Kohli has not.

Azhar rarely goes missing in high pressure scenario's so I question those who would pick Virat without hesitation to bat for their life.
 
shaz619 said:
Azhar has won his country an ICC Trophy in the 50 over format, Kohli has not.

Azhar has performed in both Australia and England, Kohli has not.

Azhar rarely goes missing in high pressure scenario's so I question those who would pick Virat without hesitation to bat for their life.
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but its an undisclosed format remember? Azhar dont play T20s so what about that?
 
Pakhs said:
but its an undisclosed format remember? Azhar dont play T20s so what about that?
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That's a good point, but Kohli is mentally weaker when the pressure is on so I'd take Azhar any day of the week when the stakes have been raised.
 
shaz619 said:
That's a good point, but Kohli is mentally weaker when the pressure is on so I'd take Azhar any day of the week when the stakes have been raised.
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So he doesnt play T20s but you will still pick Azhar knowing that we maybe playing T20?
 
Pakhs said:
So he doesnt play T20s but you will still pick Azhar knowing that we maybe playing T20?
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Without a doubt, pressure is an interesting beast; it makes people crumble and others thrive. Azhar has proven when the stakes are raised he will give his all so I'd trust someone like him with my life
 
Does the format matter because they're just trying to survive, not score runs. I would still pick Azhar because I'm in England and Kohli will probably just edge the ball outside off stump.
 
shaz619 said:
That's a good point, but Kohli is mentally weaker when the pressure is on so I'd take Azhar any day of the week when the stakes have been raised.
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Comments like these make it seem like you've never watched Kohli bat.
 
Sachin136 said:
Comments like these make it seem like you've never watched Kohli bat.
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I have, but I also pay attention to all his performances. More recently, he failed in a final when the pressure was on; why do you expect me to trust my life with him? this is not the first time he has gone missing and he can't deal with lateral movement either
 
Ali is probably among the top 5-7 batsmen in Asian history. He is an obvious choice.
 
Varun said:
I don't get the hype around Azhar Ali.

Fairly limited player whose head was being called for by large swathes of Pakistani fans until just a couple of weeks ago, when Fakhar started to make him look good.
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You need to watch clips when he scored runs.
 
Kohli!

Make no mistake despite the CT final failure - he is an ATG and will keep scoring runs for as long as he can.
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] is right.
 
Kohli easily. One bad showing does not make him any less of a beast that he actually is. Azhar is miles miles miles behind him.
 
Come on, out of luck Kohli has still won so many tough games for his time. One victory against a self destruct Indian team doesnt make Azhar better.
 
shaz619 said:
Azhar has won his country an ICC Trophy in the 50 over format, Kohli has not.

Azhar has performed in both Australia and England, Kohli has not.

Azhar rarely goes missing in high pressure scenario's so I question those who would pick Virat without hesitation to bat for their life.
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what are the stats of kohli in england australia?
 
Kohli reminds me of Sachin, constant comparison with other players.

Kohli is still the best player in the world
 
Too much trolling shaz

Kohli is far ahead of Azhar all formats considered

Kohli is above Azhar in t20s and ODIs

Tests it's even in my book
 
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Kohli was the highest scorer in 2013 CT final
 
Slog said:
Too much trolling shaz

Kohli is far ahead of Azhar all formats considered

Kohli is above Azhar in t20s and ODIs

Tests it's even in my book
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People can call it that to make peace with themselves but Azar just won his country an ICC trophy final despite not being naturally gifted and playing in a team which came into tournament ranked no.8, he is also fantastic at the Test level, thrives under pressure and can handle lateral movement.

Either you lot are trolling, have an inferior complex or just blinded by fandom. People are putting this Virat guy on level of Viv and calling him a legend/ATG of the game now that is a disgrace and insulting to cricket
 
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Varun said:
I don't get the hype around Azhar Ali.

Fairly limited player whose head was being called for by large swathes of Pakistani fans until just a couple of weeks ago, when Fakhar started to make him look good.
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He's Been world class in tests for a while
 
shaz619 said:
People can call it that to make peace with themselves but Azar just won his country an ICC trophy final despite not being naturally gifted and playing in a team which came into tournament ranked no.8, he is also fantastic at the Test level, thrives under pressure and can handle lateral movement.

Either you lot are trolling, have an inferior complex or just blinded by fandom. People are putting this Virat guy on level of Viv and calling him a legend/ATG of the game now that is a disgrace and insulting to cricket
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Kohli is already an ATG and will end as best player of the century.
 
shaz619 said:
People can call it that to make peace with themselves but Azar just won his country an ICC trophy final despite not being naturally gifted and playing in a team which came into tournament ranked no.8, he is also fantastic at the Test level, thrives under pressure and can handle lateral movement.

Either you lot are trolling, have an inferior complex or just blinded by fandom. People are putting this Virat guy on level of Viv and calling him a legend/ATG of the game now that is a disgrace and insulting to cricket
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The fact is that everyone including you compares top batsmen to Kohli, Williamson, Smith

No ones holds Azhar as a benchmark currently

Kohli won his team a CT in 2013 as well and was highest scorer
 
Haha typical Pakistani. One misfire in the final and now one of the most limited batsman in any format is ahead of arguably the greatest batsman of all time and if he were to retire today easily a ATG virat Kohli. News flash for you people. Azhar ali is a school boy compared to Kohli in both ODI and T20 cricket.

Funny enough Kohli averages near enough 50 in tests and has better numbers in every single department, while Azhar is living off a 300 on the fastest road I have ever seen. Rohit Sharma would of smashed 500 if he had played on that pitch.

Not to mention azhar ali can barely find a single and dabs no balls in every single format.

Virat Kohli is ahead in all three formats and I'd pick Kohli over him in any format or situation
 
ZyzzBrah said:
Haha typical Pakistani. One misfire in the final and now one of the most limited batsman in any format is ahead of arguably the greatest batsman of all time and if he were to retire today easily a ATG virat Kohli. News flash for you people. Azhar ali is a school boy compared to Kohli in both ODI and T20 cricket.

Funny enough Kohli averages near enough 50 in tests and has better numbers in every single department, while Azhar is living off a 300 on the fastest road I have ever seen. Rohit Sharma would of smashed 500 if he had played on that pitch.

Not to mention azhar ali can barely find a single and dabs no balls in every single format.

Virat Kohli is ahead in all three formats and I'd pick Kohli over him in any format or situation
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Yes ghost of Azhar Ali scored a century in England and a double in Australia
 
Slog said:
The fact is that everyone including you compares top batsmen to Kohli, Williamson, Smith

No ones holds Azhar as a benchmark currently

Kohli won his team a CT in 2013 as well and was highest scorer
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jadeja knock in that glorified T20 was more impactful in that game and plus the wicket was flatter. Wicket was flat once again but Amirs genius forced the ball to deviate and Virat looked like a tailender, why call a guy ATG that can't even deal with a little bit of swing? And a game vs pak in a 50 over final is HUGE he failed though once again under pressure
 
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Its a disrespect to cricket comparing the likes of kohli who already became a living legend to some like azhar to who 99% of nation dnt want in the team!
we need to move on from these types of has been who r in there 30s and couldnt justify there position in the team. imo azhar only place is in tests.
 
Azhar.... beautiful timer of ball... excellent shot strokes... very solid defense.... amazing running.... best foot placement in the world.... excellent shot choice and placement.... very precise...can drive the ball around superbly.... BUT just keep finding the fielders
 
1 is a World class batsman who will eyes closed get into every single batting side on the planet.

The other is a leg spinner turned batsman who has just started showing what he can do.

Behave yourselves Pakistani fans I know we are still celebrating the win and so am I but these kind of threads are not needed.
 
I will go in myself. Nobody gives a damn about my life more than myself.... i am not the greatest bat out there, but am decent enough. Just give me a Wahab Riaz or a Jasprit Bumrah who will be bowling at me, thats my insurance policy.
 
Let's select Munaf Patel over Waqar Younis because Munaf preformed in Semi Final against Pakistan and Waqar failed against India in 1996 and 2003 WC.
 
Varun said:
I don't get the hype around Azhar Ali.

Fairly limited player whose head was being called for by large swathes of Pakistani fans until just a couple of weeks ago, when Fakhar started to make him look good.
Click to expand...
OP is trolling here,but Azhar is the best test batsman in Pakistan and probably among top 5 in the world atm
 
reversehook said:
I will go in myself. Nobody gives a damn about my life more than myself.... i am not the greatest bat out there, but am decent enough. Just give me a Wahab Riaz or a Jasprit Bumrah who will be bowling at me, thats my insurance policy.
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I thought bumrah, kumar, Ashwin, jadav were WORLD CLASS bowlers and much better than their Pakistani counterparts!!!
 
Arham_PakFan said:
OP is trolling here,but Azhar is the best test batsman in Pakistan and probably among top 5 in the world atm
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Am not sure why you all keep saying that, stop insulting Azhar; he delivered under pressure while Kohli has failed time and time again. He also has scored runs in England and Australia. The man is criminally underated, he isn't pleasing on the eye but that doesn't mean we belittle his accomplishments.
 
shaz619 said:
Am not sure why you all keep saying that, stop insulting Azhar; he delivered under pressure while Kohli has failed time and time again. He also has scored runs in England and Australia. The man is criminally underated, he isn't pleasing on the eye but that doesn't mean we belittle his accomplishments.
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Shahid Afridi also won 2009 T20. Does that make him bigger player than Kallis? Your logic is amusing.
 
Get off it [MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION]! You're incessant tirade about Kohli is becoming boring and embarrassing. Why can't you simply accept the fact that India has the best batsman in the world in their team. I know it's hard for you to come to terms with but this is the fact.
 
I just don't understand how any sane person would choose kohli over Azhar Ali...
 
People are undermining Kohli too much because he failed in a FINAL in a HIGH pressure match against Pakistan. If he threw his wicket away or was undone by normal bowling, then sure he deserves to be criticized. But he was facing Amir at his venomous best. Not many could have survived that spell unharmed. Especially those deliveries against Kohli.. moving the ball away at a nice pace is difficult for many batsmen to handle. Kohli was defeated in a battle against a bowler who would get the best batsmen of the world out easily if he is red hot like he was.

Kohli is still a great and possibly an ATG. Azhar is still inferior to him in many ways but if I am to choose someone to bat for my life.. and if that means they just have to keep on batting and batting.. then yes I would definetely choose Azhar because he's got better temparament and is poor in strike rotation. He can go on and defend all day if he likes. However, if the game is still in hand, then Kohli would be the obvious choice.

That is because Kohli is hungry for runs. The hunger for runs in Kohli outmatches Azhar.
 
MRSN said:
Shahid Afridi also won 2009 T20. Does that make him bigger player than Kallis? Your logic is amusing.
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But Azhar won a 50 over ICC Trophy for his country and scored runs in England and Australia, how on earth did Afridi come into this; you can open another thread for that tailender
 
Third Man said:
Get off it [MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION]! You're incessant tirade about Kohli is becoming boring and embarrassing. Why can't you simply accept the fact that India has the best batsman in the world in their team. I know it's hard for you to come to terms with but this is the fact.
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Khwaja said:
I just don't understand how any sane person would choose kohli over Azhar Ali...
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What is beyond your sanity and absolutely embarrassing is the constant berating of Azhar Ali even when he keeps proving people wrong, at least he doesn't choke when the pressure is on unlike Kohli who is also inept vs lateral movement and tends to score so many glorious soft runs against inferior attacks; feel free to select him to bat for your life, don't blame me when you're dead
 
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shaz619 said:
What is beyond your sanity and absolutely embarrassing is the constant berating of Azhar Ali even when he keeps proving people wrong, at least he doesn't choke when the pressure is on unlike Kohli who is also inept vs lateral movement and tends to score so many glorious soft runs against inferior attacks; feel free to select him to bat for your life, don't blame me when you're dead
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I'm 1000% for Azhar... read my post again... sorry if you feel I berated Azhar.
 
Azhar made a 59 at a 83+ SR.... so unfortunate for him to be run out... he could have been hitting a lot of sixes with Fakhar... Azhar/Fakhar are best opening combo Pakistan had for years...
 
Square Drive said:
Azhar. He won't choke. :azhar2

He will fight it out.
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Thank You, and you say that as one of Azhar's biggest critics; at least you're not blind by fandom like the others. Kohli may be the more gifted batsman but what matters is how you perform when the going gets tough
 
Azhar Bhaijaan needs to play more in PSL.... he'll become such a beast after he does
 
No disrespect to Azhar Ali but he is nowhere near the same league as Kohli in two of the three formats. I still feel he is slightly inferior in Tests as well, but give him full respect as a very good test batsman.
 
shaz619 said:
Thank You, and you say that as one of Azhar's biggest critics; at least you're not blind by fandom like the others. Kohli may be the more gifted batsman but what matters is how you perform when the going gets tough
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Yes definitely.

Azhar is our best Test bat but I'm not a fan of Azhar the ODI batsman at all. Wanted him booted from the squad ASAP for the betterment of the side but I must say he came through in the final.

If he can perform like that in every game (still unlikely), why would anyone ever want him out? Same goes for Hafeez.

Only reason I'd drop someone would be if they are not performing well but if someone is performing well, regardless of who they are, they should keep playing for the country. Simple as that.

And even if Azhar flops in ODIs, we can all agree on the fact that he's not a coward and he's simply limited. He will always give his 100%, that's for sure.
 
Crafty_Indian said:
Seriously dude again!! One can never straighten a dogs tail.

And if anything in sport any idiot will always pick the more consistent player rather than the one that performs sporadically. So go figure lol
Click to expand...



Highlighted bit and rest perfectly describe Mr. Kohli and I agree he should not be the one picked :-)
 
shah_1 said:
Let's select Munaf Patel over Waqar Younis because Munaf preformed in Semi Final against Pakistan and Waqar failed against India in 1996 and 2003 WC.
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LOL, a good one.

I see too many threads criticizing Kohli despite him having a good CT. Everyone admitting that Ali is better will be the quickest way to end this countless number of threads with same message.
 
Khwaja said:
I just don't understand how any sane person would choose kohli over Azhar Ali...
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Well, not too many folks follow cricket seriously so they often go with hype of Kohli and miss the substance of batsman like Ali.
 
Azhar is a brilliant test player but has limitations and his core strengths aren't suited to LO cricket. I have said time and time again he is Pakistan's best batter under pressure. But I would still Kohli over Azhar in a pressure situation. If it was to bat all day in tests I'll probably take Azhar but in other pressure situations in odi or test I'll take Kohli.

Shaz is making too much out of one failure tbh.
 
Azhar is one of my favourite players.Like [MENTION=141114]Hasan123[/MENTION] said,I would also choose Azhar to bat all day in tests.In T20's or ODI's I'd choose Kohli.

However if Kohli faces seam or swing against top bowlers(in Tests),I'd better start making arrangements for my funeral.
 
Azhar is criticized and rightfully so for playing slow in ODI. Therefore he is the perfect candidate to play for your life because he will not look to take risks.
 
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