Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam 2025 Comparison: Who truly dominated the year?

With the shifting sands of world cricket, teams’ priorities and formats ever so changeable, 2025 was no different. When we talk about Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam 2025 comparison, there is a lot to witness in terms of invincible formats, innings, and even time spent on the ground.

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, these two different kinds of players, left no stone unturned to find their potential in the world of cricket. However, the question arises as to who had the upper hand in the last year.

Whether we want to know it or not, both of these players are exceptionally good, and comparing their caliber would be so thrilling for platforms like Winexchange. In this blog, we will be comparing the legends and conclude who has had the best 2025.

Different Schedules, Different Challenges

First of all, Babar Azam featured in all formats for the calendar year 2025. Pakistan depended on him a lot, and he rose to the occasion during the year. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, concentrated 99 per cent of his energy playing ODIs, following his self-induced sabbatical from Test cricket in May.

Because of this, volume alone cannot decide this debate. That is why the Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam 2025 comparison must include efficiency, consistency, and pressure handling. Platforms like Winexch highlighted these nuances all year through match previews and expert breakdowns.

Virat Kohli’s 2025 Performance Overview

2025 was an ODI statement year for Virat Kohli. He batted in 13 ODI innings and made 651 runs. He averaged a phenomenal 65.10, which jumps off the page right there. Moreover, he struck at 96.20, showing intent without losing control.

He also delivered big scores. Kohli hit three centuries and four fifties. His highest score reached 135. As a result, he frequently dictated games from the top order. Every innings carried authority and purpose.

Kohli also had a short stint on the Test side earlier in the year. He could, however, score only 23 runs across two innings before retiring from the format. He did not participate in T20Is as he had previously retired from the format.

Experts on Winexchange often pointed out that Kohli maximized value per appearance. That efficiency defines his 2025 narrative.

Babar Azam’s 2025 Performance Overview

Babar Azam carried more of a load. During 2025, he performed in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. His overall score reached 1065 international runs in return, and it seems pretty good if you glance at the AB de Villiers International career profile.

Babar had scored 315 runs from 10 innings in Test cricket. This meant average returns of 31.50, steady rather than spectacular. In ODIs, on the other hand, he made 544 runs in 17 innings at an average of 34. He made just the one century for that season.

Babar made 206 runs in eight T20Is. His average was 34.30, and a strike rate of 114.4. These were solid-but-not-dominant numbers.

According to Winexch match analysis, Babar’s role often focused on stability rather than acceleration. That context matters in any Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam 2025 comparison.

Volume vs Quality: The Core Debate

At this stage, the debate becomes clearer. Babar won the volume battle. He played more matches and scored more total runs. However, elite batting often rewards quality over quantity.

Kohli’s ODI average, in the mid-60s, is an emphatic narrative. Yet his strike rate has hovered around the 100 mark. That combination rarely appears at the international level. Babar’s ODI average remained in the mid-30s, which signals reliability but not domination.

Because of this contrast, many analysts on Winexch leaned toward impact rather than accumulation.

Efficiency and Runs per Dismissal

Efficiency offers another sharp lens. In 2025, Babar Azam’s average was around 33 runs per dismissal in all formats. Whereas Kohli was more of a long-distance specialist, averaging around 56 runs per dismissal when combining his ODIs with brief Test cameos.

Although formats differ, the gap remains significant. Kohli needed fewer chances to shape outcomes. Therefore, his presence carried greater weight per innings. This factor strengthens the Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam 2025 comparison in Kohli’s favor.

Match Impact and Batting Authority

Beyond numbers, impact matters. Kohli’s hundreds often came in commanding fashion. He controlled tempo, punished loose bowling, and absorbed pressure. As a result, his innings frequently defined matches.

Babar provided consistency but fewer match-winning peaks. His performances helped Pakistan compete, yet they rarely overwhelmed opponents. Once again, Winexch coverage emphasized this difference during the key ODI series.

Final Verdict: Who Dominated 2025?

So, who truly dominated? The answer depends on perspective. Babar Azam delivered a complete, multi-format year. He carried responsibility and maintained steady output. However, dominance implies superiority, not just endurance.

In terms of batting quality, efficiency, and influence, Virat Kohli stood taller. His ODI season alone matched the impact of full multi-format years. So, in this Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam 2025 comparison, the advantage goes to Kohli.

For fans tracking every insight on Winexch, the conclusion feels clear. Kohli contributed less but made a greater impact when it counted most.

FAQs

1. What is the main takeaway from the Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam 2025 comparison?

The basic takeaway is, Kohli was more impactful and efficient, whereas Babar has been bulkier across formats.

2. Who scored more international runs in 2025?

Babar Azam made the most combined international runs, with 1,065 in total.

3. Why does Virat Kohli rank higher in impact?

Kohli had an ODI average of over 65 and scored more centuries, so he had a greater influence on match-defining competitions.

4. How did Winexch evaluate this rivalry in 2025?

Winexch analysis consistently highlighted efficiency, runs per dismissal, and match impact over raw totals.