🏏 Kagiso Rabada Names Babar Azam Among the Toughest Batters to Face | Full Analysis
The world of cricket thrives on rivalries, legends, and stories of great battles between bat and ball. One of the latest names to enter this rich narrative is South Africa’s pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, who hailed Pakistan’s Babar Azam as one of the toughest batters he has ever bowled to.
Speaking on the Beard Before Cricket Podcast hosted by Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, Rabada revealed a list of modern-day batting greats who have given him the hardest time, including Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and David Warner. But what caught the cricketing world’s attention was his description of Babar Azam as “a rock.”
This blog dives deep into Rabada’s remarks, why Babar Azam’s batting is so highly respected, the comparison with other modern-day greats, and what this means for the future of cricket rivalries.
⚡ Kagiso Rabada – South Africa’s Bowling Spearhead
Kagiso Rabada has been the face of South African fast bowling since making his debut in 2014. Known for his raw pace, bounce, and accuracy, Rabada has terrorized top-order batters across formats.
- Tests: 71 matches, 300+ wickets
- ODIs: 106 matches, 170+ wickets
- T20Is: 70 matches, 90+ wickets
What makes Rabada special is his ability to adapt to conditions — whether it’s the bouncy tracks of Johannesburg, the slow wickets of the subcontinent, or the seaming pitches in England.
🪨 What Did Rabada Say About Babar Azam?
On the podcast, when asked about the batters he found most difficult, Rabada didn’t hesitate to mention Babar Azam:
👉 “Babar Azam is a rock, especially in Pakistan. It’s like, ‘man, how do you get this guy out?’”
This praise holds weight because Rabada has bowled against all the modern batting greats. For him to single out Babar alongside names like Kohli, Root, Smith, and Williamson highlights Babar’s stature in world cricket.
🏏 Why Babar Azam is Called “A Rock”
The term “rock” perfectly sums up Babar’s batting style. Here’s why:
- Solid Technique: Babar rarely gives his wicket away cheaply.
- Consistency: He averages over 50 in ODIs and is among the top-ranked batters in ICC rankings.
- Patience: Unlike power-hitters, Babar builds his innings with calmness.
- Subcontinent Specialist: As Rabada noted, Babar in Pakistan is almost immovable.
Babar has often been compared to greats like Kohli and Root for his ability to anchor innings while still playing elegant strokes.
👑 Rabada’s Full List of Toughest Batters
Rabada named six batters he found toughest to bowl at:
- Babar Azam (Pakistan)
- Virat Kohli (India)
- Joe Root (England)
- Steve Smith (Australia)
- Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
- David Warner (Australia)
Each of these players brings a unique challenge, and Rabada’s acknowledgment shows the respect he has for batters who have stood tall against his fiery pace.
🔥 Virat Kohli – The Chase Master
No list of toughest batters is complete without Virat Kohli. Rabada highlighted how Kohli’s hunger for runs makes him incredibly difficult.
- Known for chasing under pressure.
- One of the best in ODIs with over 13,000 runs.
- His ability to rotate strike frustrates bowlers.
Against South Africa, Kohli has piled up runs in all formats, often neutralizing their pace attack.
🏴 Joe Root – England’s Batting Backbone
Rabada also praised Joe Root, who has been England’s most reliable Test batter.
- Over 11,000 Test runs.
- Plays spin and pace equally well.
- Master of batting long sessions.
For a bowler like Rabada, Root’s patience and ability to leave deliveries make him a nightmare in Test cricket.
🇦🇺 Steve Smith – The Unorthodox Genius
Steve Smith’s technique might look awkward, but his results are extraordinary.
- Test average over 58.
- Incredible ability to adjust mid-series.
- Plays with unorthodox movement that unsettles bowlers.
Rabada admitted that Smith’s unique approach makes him one of the hardest to plan against.
🇳🇿 Kane Williamson – The Silent Assassin
Kane Williamson, New Zealand’s calm and composed captain, also features on Rabada’s list.
- Stylish, composed batting.
- Known for scoring in tough conditions.
- His humility and technique make him respected globally.
Rabada called Williamson one of the toughest because he “never looks flustered.”
💥 David Warner – Rabada’s Toughest Opponent
Surprisingly, Rabada revealed that David Warner was the hardest batter he ever bowled to:
👉 “I actually found David Warner quite tough to bowl to… he was so unorthodox. He used to cut a lot of balls, and whenever I dropped my length short, he would just latch onto it.”
Despite Rabada dismissing Warner multiple times, he admitted Warner’s aggressive style kept him on edge.
🔄 Comparing Styles – What Makes These Batters Unique
- Babar Azam: Rock-solid technique, patience.
- Kohli: Aggression, chasing ability.
- Root: Classic Test temperament.
- Smith: Unorthodox yet effective.
- Williamson: Calm, steady presence.
- Warner: Explosive aggression.
Each style tests bowlers in a different way, which is why Rabada rates them all highly.
🏏 Babar Azam vs Kohli – The Debate That Never Ends
The Babar vs Kohli debate remains a hot topic in world cricket. Rabada’s inclusion of both in his toughest list reignites discussions.
- Kohli dominates ODIs and T20Is.
- Babar is considered more technically sound.
- Both are captains and role models.
Cricketory analysis: Instead of comparing, fans should celebrate the fact that the game has two batting giants at the same time.
⚡ Pakistan vs South Africa – Historic Battles
Pakistan and South Africa have had many intense series. From Javed Miandad vs Allan Donald in the past to Babar Azam vs Rabada today, these matchups have added drama to world cricket.
📊 Babar Azam’s Record Against South Africa
- ODIs: Averaging above 60 against SA.
- Tests: Scored crucial hundreds in Karachi & Centurion.
- T20Is: Often anchors Pakistan’s innings.
These stats prove why Rabada finds him hard to dismiss.
📊 Rabada vs Babar – Head-to-Head Stats
- Matches: 10+ across formats.
- Dismissals: Rabada has managed to get Babar, but not consistently.
- Average: Babar averages higher against SA than most bowlers.
📱 Fan Reactions to Rabada’s Statement
Fans across Twitter (X) and Instagram reacted strongly:
- Pakistani fans: “Finally, world recognizes Babar’s greatness!”
- Indian fans: “Kohli and Babar both being praised shows how strong subcontinent batting is.”
- Neutral fans: “Respect between bat and ball is what cricket is about.”
🎙️ Cricket Experts’ Take on Rabada’s Choices
- Harsha Bhogle: “Not surprised to see Babar in Rabada’s list. His technique is world-class.”
- Michael Vaughan: “Rabada’s honesty shows how respected Babar is globally.”
- Ramiz Raja: “This proves Pakistan’s batting has produced a true modern great.”
🌟 What This Means for Babar’s Legacy
Being named among Kohli, Smith, Root, and Williamson by a world-class bowler like Rabada cements Babar Azam’s legacy as one of the modern greats.
He is no longer just Pakistan’s best batter but also a global batting icon.
📊 Cricketory Insights & Analysis
- Impact on Babar’s Brand: Endorsements and recognition likely to rise.
- Rabada’s Respect: Shows sportsmanship despite fierce battles.
- Future Rivalries: Pakistan vs South Africa series will draw even more interest.
- Global Perspective: Cricket is richer with batters like Babar, Kohli, Root, Smith, Williamson, and Warner dominating together.
❓ FAQs – Rabada on Babar Azam & Other Batters
Q1: Who did Kagiso Rabada call the toughest batter?
👉 Rabada said David Warner was the hardest to bowl to because of his unorthodox style.Q2: What did Rabada say about Babar Azam?
👉 He called Babar “a rock” and praised his batting especially in Pakistan.Q3: Did Rabada mention Virat Kohli?
👉 Yes, Kohli was named among the toughest because of his consistency and chase ability.Q4: Why is Babar Azam respected by bowlers?
👉 Due to his technique, patience, and ability to build long innings.Q5: How has Babar performed against South Africa?
👉 He averages strongly, with multiple match-winning innings across formats.🏆 Final Thoughts – Respect Between Bat and Ball
Kagiso Rabada’s acknowledgment of Babar Azam as one of the toughest batters highlights the mutual respect between great players. In an era where fans often fuel rivalries, Rabada’s words remind us that cricket is about admiration as much as competition.
For Pakistan fans, this is a proud moment as their captain is ranked alongside modern greats like Kohli, Smith, Root, Williamson, and Warner.
For world cricket, it is yet another reminder that the battle between bat and ball continues to produce stories that inspire generations.
👉 And as always, Cricketory will keep bringing you insights, analysis, and trending updates from the world of cricket.