PAK vs SA: Babar Azam, once Pakistan’s most consistent run-getter across formats, finds himself at the centre of criticism once again. The elegant right-hander, known for his composure and timing, is going through one of the toughest phases of his international career. Currently playing his 3rd ODI against South Africa in the ODI series, Babar has managed just 18 runs in two innings, and his recent dismissal in the second ODI even left him in tears in the dressing room, a moment that summed up his frustration and heartbreak.
💔 HEART-BREAKING 💔
Babar Azam was seen crying in the dressing room after his wicket in 2nd ODI vs South Africa 😨
His recent scores – 11 & 7 vs South Africa 🇿🇦. He scored his last 💯 against Nepal in Asia Cup 2023 😵
– What's your take on this 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Z4rlBvaeWL---Advertisement---— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) November 7, 2025
81 Innings Without a Century
Babar’s last international century came on 30 August 2023, when he hammered 151 against Nepal in the Asia Cup. Since then, it has been 81 innings without a hundred. For a player of his calibre, that’s a worrying sign. Fans have now begun comparing his current slump to Virat Kohli’s famous century drought, which lasted from November 2019 to September 2022 – a stretch of 71 innings.
But how do the two greats actually compare during their respective dry spells? Let’s break down the numbers.
Babar Azam and Virat Kohli’s Slump Comparison
Virat Kohli’s Stats:
| Criterion | Stat |
|---|---|
| Innings | 83 |
| Runs | 2708 |
| Average | 36.10 |
| 50s/100s | 26/0 |
| Ducks | 9 |
Babar Azam’s Stats:
| Criterion | Stat |
|---|---|
| Innings | 81 |
| Runs | 2367 |
| Average | 31.14 |
| 50s/100s | 20/0 |
| Ducks | 5 |
Format Wise Take Away: Virat Kohli and Babar Azam
Babar Azam:
| Format | Innings | Runs | Average | 50s/100s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 31 | 956 | 34.14 | 9/0 | 78.61 |
| T20Is | 26 | 817 | 34.04 | 7/0 | 131.56 |
| Tests | 24 | 594 | 24.75 | 4/0 | – |
Virat Kohli:
| Format | Innings | Runs | Average | 50s/100s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 23 | 824 | 35.82 | 10/0 | 87.94 |
| T20Is | 28 | 1012 | 50.60 | 10/0 | 140.94 |
| Tests | 32 | 872 | 27.25 | 6/0 | – |
The numbers reveal a clear picture – Virat Kohli performed better during his slump than Babar Azam is doing in his current one. Kohli averaged higher across all three formats and notched up more fifty-plus scores, showing that he was still among the runs even when centuries were elusive.
In contrast, Babar has struggled to convert his starts into big scores. He has often looked solid early on, getting into the twenties and thirties, but has lacked the finishing touch to convert those into substantial innings.
Interestingly, Kohli’s T20I form stood out during his lean patch. He averaged over 50 in T20Is and scored 1,012 runs in 28 innings, even though centuries in the shortest format are rare. This consistency across formats eventually helped him regain his rhythm, and he broke his century drought with a stunning 122 against Afghanistan in the 2022 Asia Cup.
The Mental Side of the Slump
What made Kohli’s phase different was his ability to remain relevant despite the lack of hundreds. He kept contributing with vital fifties, played tough innings under pressure, and maintained his fitness and intent.
Babar, on the other hand, seems to be struggling not just technically but mentally. The weight of expectations, captaincy pressures, and constant comparisons to Kohli have taken a toll. His emotional reaction after getting dismissed in the second ODI against South Africa, where he was seen crying in the dressing room – reflected the pain of a player desperate to find his best form again.
Lessons Babar Can Learn from Virat Kohli
Kohli’s comeback story holds a valuable lesson for Babar Azam. During his slump, Kohli stopped obsessing over hundreds and began focusing on building smaller milestones, getting to fifty, converting that to eighty, and letting the hundred take care of itself. Once the pressure eased, the runs flowed naturally.
For Babar, it’s time to do the same. He needs to focus on regaining rhythm rather than chasing milestones. Working on intent, improving strike rotation, and trusting his natural game will be key to breaking free from this rough patch.
Also Read: IPL 2026 Auction: Why RCB should bring Glenn Maxwell back to Bengaluru – What’s the strategy behind?
