India is a country that is always wealthy and rich in batting talent. KL Rahul is one of the precious gems available in the nation. On the other hand, the arch rivals Pakistan known for their bowling resources have found a world class batsman in Babar Azam. The whole world is in a conflict with KL Rahul vs Babar Azam, who is the better batsman at present.
With KL Rahul uplifting his all-format game to the next level, people have started comparing him to the all-time greats like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Babar Azam, since he came into the limelight has also amazed the cricketing world with his astonishing batting skills. KL Rahul vs Babar Azam is as relevant comparison in the present day as KL Rahul vs Virat Kohli. Especially in the T20 format, KL Rahul & Babar Azam has earned the tag of two of the best batsmen in the world.
In this article, the stats of KL Rahul vs Babar Azam will be analyzed in depth. Finally, a conclusion will be made on who is better in KL Rahul vs Babar Azam duel. The comparison parameters list as:
1. KL Rahul vs Babar Azam Batting Position
KL Rahul (Age: 30yrs)
Rahul with his exceptional batting performances over the last 2 years has cemented his spot as an opener in the Test and T20 formats. Whereas in the ODIs Shikhar Dhawan still holds his place in the team as an opener. Thus KL is preferred to be the middle-order batsman in ODIs.
Babar Azam (Age: 27yrs)
Babar plays as an opener in T20Is. In Test cricket, he prefers the no. 4 slot and in ODIs, he generally is seen batting at no. 3.
2. KL Rahul vs Babar Azam in Test Matches
Captain Babar has been the backbone of the Pakistan team since his introduction to international cricket. His exceptional performance in Test Cricket all over the globe has already made him an all-time great. Since his debut against Australia at the MCG, KL Rahul has been in and out of the team. Because he was hot and cold, he could never settle in with the squad. Rahul excelled in the last Test series in England, filling in for the injured Shubman Gill. With Rohit Sharma, his spot as a Test opener appears to be secure as of now.
(i) Ranking:
- KL Rahul: 36
- Babar Azam: 5
(ii) KL Rahul vs Babar Azam Statistics:
[table id=15 /]
(iii) Notable Points in Test Stats:
- The above stats suggest that Babar Azam is ahead of KL Rahul in terms of Test Records.
- Babar has close to 3000 runs in Tests whereas Rahul lies in the mid-2000s.
- The average of Babar is also much above KL. Babar has an average of 46 to Rahul’s 35.
- Babar has 6 centuries as compared to 7 from Rahul.
- Both Babar & Rahul is yet to have a double century with 196 & 199 being their personal bests in Tests respectively.
- The recent form keeps Rahul as a competitor for Babar in Test Cricket.
Like the style? Also Check: Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli
3. KL Rahul vs Babar Azam in ODIs
Babar Azam is arguably the best ODI batsman in the world at present. An exceptional average of close to 60 keeps Babar ahead of any other modern-day batsman. The famous “Fab 4” comprising Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Joe Root, and Steve Smith, can easily have an inclusion in the form of Babar Azam. KL Rahul, on the other hand, has been unfortunate that he has been unable to secure a slot in his preferred opening position due to a well-established Rohit-Dhawan pair. He’s been used as an opener, a finisher, and even a legitimate middle order batsman on occasion. He also filled in for Rishabh Pant as a wicketkeeper-batsman in a few games. He is currently regarded as a No. 4 batsman, following Rohit Dhawan and Virat Kohli.
(i) Ranking:
- KL Rahul: 26
- Babar Azam: 1
(ii) KL Rahul vs Babar Azam Statistics:
[table id=16 /]
(iii) Notable Points in Test Stats:
- It is clear from the above data that Babar is miles ahead of KL with overall career stats in ODIs.
- Babar has 4261 runs in ODIs whereas Rahul lies in the 1600 mark.
- The average of Babar is above KL. Babar has an average of 59 to Rahul’s 47.
- Babar has 16 centuries as compared to 5 from Rahul.
- While Babar is already a big name in ODI cricket, Rahul might be a giant in the making if given a well-defined role. At least his recent performances indicate so.
4. KL Rahul vs Babar Azam in T20Is
KL Rahul is regarded as the best Indian batsman in this format. His batting is consistent and destructive thanks to a wide repertoire of proper cricketing shots. In T20 cricket, he has been India’s leading match-winner in a short period of time. Babar, on the other hand, does not trail behind. When it comes to consistency, no one is better than Babar. Despite the fact that he does not have a large range of shots, he has developed his own style of playing T20 cricket. With the power hitters smashing around him, he takes the anchor role for Pakistan. Rahul and Babar are the two best T20 batsmen in the world, currently.
(i) Ranking:
- KL Rahul: 10
- Babar Azam: 1
(ii) KL Rahul vs Babar Azam Statistics:
[table id=17 /]
(iii) Notable Points in Test Stats:
- The T20I stats of Babar Azam and KL Rahul are much closer to each other than that of Test and ODIs.
- Babar has 2686 runs in 74 matches while KL has scored 1831 runs in 56 matches.
- Babar has a massive average of 46 in T20Is while Rahul possesses a decent average of 41.
- Average shows that Babar leads in consistency but strike rate shows that KL has his noses ahead in firepower.
- Rahul has 2 T20I hundreds as compared to 1 from Babar.
- Considering a strike rate close to 150 and an average of 41 which is improving gradually, the current Indian T20I vice-captain is reaching a level where he is to be considered an all-time great in this format.
- Keeping the current form in mind, KL looks to be ahead of Babar in terms of T20 gameplay, though current ranking doesn’t say so.
Expert Opinions on KL Rahul
Akash Chopra believes, “In my view, KL Rahul is currently the best T20 batsman in India.”
Harbhajan Singh called on-air, “KL Rahul is India’s Mr. 360 AB de Villiers.”
Expert Opinions on Babar Azam
Tom Moody quoted, “You think Kohli is good, watch Babar Azam bat.”
The former South African captain Faf du Plessis commented, “Babar, over the last year or so, has taken another step towards becoming one of the greats of the game so he has got an exciting future.”
Final Words
Babar Azam has already been to the level to be among the best modern day players. On the other hand, KL Rahul has reached his career peak form. But both of them have a fairly new career and have to continue their golden run for quite a few more years to be considered legends of the game.
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