Kohli vs Babar vs Smith vs Root: Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, Steve Smith, and Joe Root are four of the best batters of the modern era. But they are not the same kind of player. So the answer to “who is the best” depends on the format you value most.
Test cricket: Smith and Root lead the way
In Tests, Steve Smith has the best average among the four. He has scored 11,003 runs in 127 matches at 55.29. He has 37 centuries. That is a remarkable record. Smith’s technique and patience have made him one of the toughest batters to bowl in the longest format.
Joe Root has the most Test runs among the four. He has 14,278 runs in 169 matches at 50.45. He also has the most Test centuries in this group, with 41. Root has played more Tests than the others, and his consistency over a long career stands out.
Kohli has 9,230 Test runs in 123 matches at 46.85, with 30 centuries. His Test record is strong, but it is below his own very high standards in white-ball cricket. Babar has 4,771 Test runs in 66 matches at 42.98, with 9 centuries. He is still building his Test career and has time to improve.
ODI cricket: Kohli is clearly ahead
In ODIs, Virat Kohli is the standout. He has 15,109 runs in 317 matches at 58.78. He has 55 centuries and 79 fifties. That is the best record in this group by a clear margin. Kohli’s ability to pace an innings and score hundreds consistently is unmatched.
Babar Azam is next. He has 6,715 runs in 146 matches at 52.87, with 20 centuries. His average is very good, and he has been Pakistan’s most reliable batter for years. But he has played far fewer matches than Kohli and has fewer hundreds.
Joe Root has 8,010 ODI runs in 198 matches at 50.37, with 20 centuries. He is a solid ODI batter, but he is not as dominant as Kohli. Steve Smith has 5,800 ODI runs in 170 matches at 43.28, with 12 centuries. He is a good ODI player, but this is not his strongest format.
T20I cricket: Kohli’s numbers stand out
In T20Is, Kohli has 4,188 runs in 125 matches at 48.69, with a strike rate of 137.04. He has one century and 38 fifties. His average is the best among the four. He has also performed well in T20 World Cups.
Babar has more T20I runs, with 4,596 in 145 matches. But his average is 38.94, and his strike rate is 128.02. Those are good numbers, but they are below Kohli’s. Root has 893 T20I runs at 35.72, and Smith has 1,094 at 24.86. Neither Root nor Smith plays T20Is as regularly now.
Overall international record
Across all formats, Kohli has the most international runs and centuries. He has over 28,500 runs and 86 centuries. Root is next with over 23,000 runs and 61 centuries. Smith has almost 18,000 runs and 49 centuries. Babar has over 16,000 runs and 32 centuries.
Kohli also has the best overall white-ball record. He has won major ICC trophies, including the 2011 ODI World Cup, the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the Champions Trophy. Root and Smith have strong Test records but fewer white-ball trophies. Babar has won the Champions Trophy but not the World Cup.
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam: Who Truly Reigns Supreme?
Virat Kohli and Babar Azam are two of the best batters in modern cricket. Kohli plays for India and Babar plays for Pakistan. Their careers have taken different paths. Kohli is older and has more experience. He retired from Tests in 2025 and from T20Is in 2024. He now plays only ODI cricket. Babar still plays all three formats.
In Test cricket, Kohli has played 123 matches and scored 9,230 runs. His average is 46.85. He has 30 centuries. Babar has played 66 Tests and scored 4,771 runs. His average is 42.98. He has 9 centuries. Kohli also has seven double centuries in Tests. Babar has none.
In ODI cricket, Kohli has scored 15,109 runs in 317 matches. His average is 58.78. He has 55 centuries. Babar has scored 6,671 runs in 144 matches. His average is 53.36. He has 20 centuries. Kohli is far ahead in both runs and hundreds.
In T20I cricket, Babar has more runs. He has scored 4,596 runs in 145 matches. He has three centuries. Kohli scored 4,118 runs in 125 matches. He has one century. But Kohli’s average and strike rate are better. Kohli averaged 48.69 and struck at 137.04. Babar averages 38.94 and strikes at 128.02.
Kohli has won more major team trophies. He was part of India’s 2011 ODI World Cup win. He won the Champions Trophy in 2013 and 2025. He won the T20 World Cup in 2024. He has also won the Asia Cup three times. In total, Kohli has nine major titles. Babar has three. He won the Champions Trophy in 2017 and two PSL titles.
FAQs
Q. Who has the most Test runs: Kohli vs Babar vs Smith vs Root?
A. Joe Root leads the group with 14,278 Test runs.
Q. Who has the most ODI centuries among the four batters?
A. Virat Kohli leads with 55 ODI centuries.
Q. Who has the highest Test batting average among them?
A. Steve Smith has the highest Test average at 55.29.
Q. Who has scored the most T20I runs among the four?
A. Babar Azam leads with 4,596 T20I runs.
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