Real King of Cricket – Cricket isn’t just a sport, it’s pure emotion, both for the players and the fans. From the iconic moment when Kapil Dev lifted India’s first ICC trophy to Rohit Sharma bringing home the Champions Trophy in 2025, cricket’s journey in India has been nothing short of legendary.
Over the years, legends like Kapil Dev, Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, and so many more have worn the Indian jersey with pride on the international stage. And it’s not just India, the global cricket scene has been graced by greats like Sir Don Bradman, Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, Alastair Cook, James Anderson, and others who have left their mark in history.
Then there’s Virat Kohli, not just a player, but the “King of Cricket.” What sets him apart? It’s the unshakable love and belief his fans have in him. His passion for the game and the energy he brings to the field have turned cricket into a new favorite sport for millions worldwide.
Among legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Donald Bradman, and MS Dhoni, it’s Virat Kohli who has connected with fans on a different level. Today, with millions following him, Virat isn’t just a cricket icon; he’s the most-followed Indian cricketer on social media, inspiring a new generation across the globe.
Contents
How Do We Find Out Who’s the Real King of Cricket?
To keep things fair, we’re ranking the contenders based on a few universal and important factors, the kind that truly separate the good from the great. Here’s what we’re looking at:
- Statistical Achievements:
Numbers don’t lie. We’ll look at each player’s career stats because records and milestones are a major part of proving why someone deserves the crown. - Impact on Matches:
It’s not just about racking up runs or wickets, it’s about when you do it. Players who deliver under pressure, step up in crucial moments, and turn games around are the ones who leave a real mark. - Consistency:
Any player can have a few great games, but true legends stay at the top for years. We’ll judge how consistently each player has performed throughout their career.
Real King of Cricket Title Contenders
There are a lot of brilliant cricketers out there, but when it comes to the title of the King of Cricket, only a few names truly stand out. After narrowing it down, we’ve got five contenders battling for that crown. We’ll compare them based on key performance factors and figure out once and for all who deserves the title!
Here’s the lineup of our top contenders:
| S. No. | Player Name | Country | International Matches Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli | India | 522 |
| 2 | Joe Root | England | 363 |
| 3 | Steve Smith | Australia | 322 |
| 4 | Kane Williamson | New Zealand | 356 |
| 5 | Babar Azam | Pakistan | 290 |
Babar Azam | Pakistan
Babar Azam, Pakistan’s former captain, is often hailed by his fans as the “Real King of Cricket.” In Pakistan and there’s no denying his talent. As of 2025, Babar holds the No. 2 spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Rankings, a testament to his class. However, recent form tells a slightly different story.
In his last ten innings, Babar has managed just three half-centuries, and his performance in the recently concluded Champions Trophy 2025 was underwhelming. A few years ago, Babar was right up there among the best, but lately, he’s struggled to maintain the momentum that once made him unstoppable.
Babar Azam Batting and Fielding Stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | High Score | Average | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Catches | Stumpings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 59 | 108 | 9 | 4235 | 196 | 42.77 | 7788 | 54.37 | 9 | 29 | 494 | 23 | 47 | 0 |
| ODIs | 131 | 128 | 15 | 6235 | 158 | 55.17 | 7089 | 87.95 | 19 | 37 | 574 | 67 | 56 | 0 |
| T20Is | 128 | 121 | 15 | 4223 | 122 | 39.83 | 3268 | 129.22 | 3 | 36 | 447 | 73 | 52 | 0 |
Kane Williamson | New Zealand
Kane Williamson, New Zealand’s former captain, is one of the strongest contenders for the title of King of Cricket. With over 19,000 runs across formats (Tests, ODIs, and T20Is), Williamson has been a rock for his team, always stepping up when it matters the most.
His ability to deliver under pressure has made him a match-winner time and again. In Test cricket, he boasts an outstanding average of 54.88 and has already smashed 33 centuries — a remarkable feat. Let’s not forget, he also led New Zealand to the final of the ICC World Cup 2019, taking the team closer than ever to a world title.
Kane Williamson Batting and Fielding Stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | High Score | Average | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Catches | Stumpings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 105 | 186 | 17 | 9276 | 251 | 54.88 | 17913 | 51.78 | 33 | 37 | 1031 | 27 | 90 | 0 |
| ODIs | 173 | 165 | 18 | 7235 | 148 | 49.21 | 8853 | 81.72 | 15 | 47 | 664 | 60 | 74 | 0 |
| T20Is | 93 | 90 | 13 | 2575 | 95 | 33.44 | 2092 | 123.08 | 0 | 18 | 245 | 58 | 45 | 0 |
Steve Smith | Australia
Steve Smith, Australia’s former captain, is another big name in the race for the King of Cricket title. With over 17,000 runs across formats, Smith has been a pillar of strength for Australia for years.
Recently, after Australia’s heartbreaking loss to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finals, Smith announced his retirement from ODIs. However, fans will still see him in action in Tests and T20Is.
In Test cricket, Smith’s numbers are simply phenomenal — an average of 56.74 with 36 centuries to his name. Across all formats, he’s been one of Australia’s most reliable match-winners, showing up big in the toughest situations.
Steve Smith Batting and Fielding Stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | High Score | Average | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Catches | Stumpings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 116 | 206 | 25 | 10,271 | 239 | 56.74 | 19,176 | 53.56 | 36 | 41 | 1116 | 61 | 200 | 0 |
| ODIs | 170 | 154 | 20 | 5800 | 164 | 43.28 | 6669 | 86.96 | 12 | 35 | 521 | 58 | 90 | 0 |
| T20Is | 67 | 55 | 11 | 1094 | 90 | 24.86 | 872 | 125.45 | 0 | 5 | 96 | 26 | 41 | 0 |
Joe Root | England
Joe Root, England’s former captain, is another strong name in the conversation for the King of Cricket. With over 16,000 runs across all formats, Root has been a mainstay in England’s batting lineup for more than a decade.
Lately, he’s been in incredible form, especially in Test cricket. In fact, among all active players, Root holds the record for the most Test centuries — a whopping 36, which is no small achievement.
Joe Root Batting and Fielding Stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | High Score | Average | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Catches | Stumpings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 152 | 278 | 23 | 12,972 | 262 | 50.87 | 22,568 | 57.47 | 36 | 65 | 1394 | 45 | 207 | 0 |
| ODIs | 177 | 166 | 23 | 6,859 | 133* | 47.96 | 7,881 | 87.03 | 17 | 41 | 548 | 51 | 86 | 0 |
| T20Is | 32 | 30 | 5 | 893 | 90* | 35.72 | 707 | 126.30 | 0 | 5 | 92 | 16 | 18 | 0 |
Virat Kohli – The real king of Cricket
When it comes to the King of Cricket, Virat Kohli stands tall at the top. With a mind-blowing 27,000+ runs across all formats, Kohli has been the most influential cricketer of this era.
His adaptability over the years — across formats, conditions, and roles — has been nothing short of extraordinary. Under his leadership, India became a powerhouse even on tough overseas tours, dominating teams in their backyard.
Whether he can chase down targets in ODIs, anchor an innings in Tests, or accelerate in T20s, Kohli has set a gold standard for modern-day batting.
Virat Kohli Batting and Fielding Stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | High Score | Average | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Catches | Stumpings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 123 | 210 | 13 | 9230 | 254* | 46.85 | 16,608 | 55.57 | 30 | 31 | 1027 | 30 | 121 | 0 |
| ODIs | 302 | 290 | 45 | 14,181 | 183 | 57.88 | 15,192 | 93.34 | 51 | 74 | 1325 | 152 | 161 | 0 |
| T20Is | 125 | 117 | 31 | 4188 | 122* | 48.69 | 3056 | 137.04 | 1 | 38 | 369 | 124 | 54 | 0 |
Virat Kohli isn’t called King Kohli by his fans for nothing — the nickname is rooted in his incredible dominance across every format of the game. Over his international career with Team India, Kohli has racked up a jaw-dropping 27,324 runs across ODIs, Tests, and T20Is, including an unbeaten highest score of 254* in Test cricket.
The table below captures Kohli’s career numbers across all major formats — ODI, Test, T20I, and IPL — and it’s clear why he’s in a league of his own.
Throughout his journey, Kohli shattered several long-standing records, including breaking his idol Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most ODI centuries. And if that wasn’t enough, Kohli also surpassed Sachin’s record of 673 runs in a single World Cup edition, setting a new benchmark for excellence.
Simply put, there’s no debate — Virat Kohli is the undisputed Real King of Cricket. 👑🏏
Final Verdict – King Kohli – Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli, known for his fiery passion and aggressive energy on the field, Virat Kohli has become a massive inspiration for millions of young cricketers around the world. Every time he steps onto the ground, he brings with him a never-give-up attitude that sets him apart.
Beyond the aggression, though, it’s Kohli’s down-to-earth nature, relentless determination, and unmatched hunger to keep getting better that truly make him special. These qualities are why he’s called the Real King of Cricket.
Also Read – Purple Cap in IPL 2025- IPL 2025 Purple Cap List