Virat Kohli and Kagiso Rabada have faced each other many times in international cricket. Kohli is known for his strong batting, while Rabada is one of the fastest and most skilled bowlers in the world. Their battles on the field have been exciting, with both players trying to get the better of each other.
In this article, we look at the head-to-head stats to understand how Kohli has performed against Rabada over the years.
Virat Kohli vs Rabada Head-to-Head Stats Summary
Virat Kohli has faced Kagiso Rabada in 678 balls across all formats and has scored 459 runs while being dismissed 11 times. Kohli has hit 52 fours and 7 sixes, with 450 dot balls played.
Format | Runs | Balls | Outs | Dots | 4s/6s | Avg | SR |
Test | 253 | 427 | 5 | 315 | 36/2 | 50.6 | 59.3 |
ODI | 138 | 191 | 2 | 113 | 11/3 | 69.0 | 72.3 |
T20I | 32 | 28 | 1 | 11 | 1/2 | 32.0 | 114.3 |
Twenty20 | 36 | 32 | 3 | 11 | 4/0 | 12.0 | 112.5 |
Total | 459 | 678 | 11 | 450 | 52/7 | - | - |
Kohli vs Rabada: Year-by-Year Head to Head Stats in Test Cricket
In Test cricket, Kohli has scored 253 runs off 427 balls and has been dismissed 5 times by Rabada. He has faced 315 dot balls, hit 36 fours and 2 sixes, with an average of 50.6 and a strike rate of 59.3.
Year | Runs | Balls | Outs | Dots | 4s | 6s | Avg | SR |
2015 | 18 | 37 | 1 | 32 | 4 | 0 | 18.0 | 48.6 |
2018 | 93 | 147 | 1 | 102 | 12 | 0 | 93.0 | 63.3 |
2019 | 52 | 75 | 0 | 54 | 10 | 0 | - | 69.3 |
2021 | 16 | 27 | 0 | 20 | 3 | 0 | - | 59.3 |
2022 | 35 | 75 | 1 | 61 | 4 | 1 | 35.0 | 46.7 |
2023 | 14 | 37 | 1 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 14.0 | 37.8 |
2024 | 25 | 29 | 1 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 25.0 | 86.2 |
Total | 253 | 427 | 5 | 315 | 36 | 2 | 50.6 | 59.3 |
Kohli vs Rabada: Year-by-Year Head to Head Stats in ODI Cricket
In ODIs, Kohli has scored 138 runs off 191 balls and has been dismissed 2 times. He has hit 11 fours and 3 sixes, with 113 dot balls. His average in ODIs against Rabada is 69.0, and his strike rate is 72.3.
Year | Runs | Balls | Outs | Dots | 4s | 6s | Avg | SR |
2015 | 26 | 43 | 2 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 13.0 | 60.5 |
2017 | 7 | 23 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | - | 30.4 |
2018 | 74 | 93 | 0 | 55 | 6 | 2 | - | 79.6 |
2019 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | 40.0 |
2023 | 29 | 27 | 0 | 13 | 5 | 0 | - | 107.4 |
Total | 138 | 191 | 2 | 113 | 11 | 3 | 69.0 | 72.3 |
Kohli vs Rabada: Year-by-Year Head to Head Stats in T20I Cricket
In T20Is, Kohli has scored 32 runs from 28 balls and has been dismissed once. He has hit 1 four and 2 sixes, faced 11 dot balls, and has a strike rate of 114.3 with an average of 32.0.
Year | Runs | Balls | Outs | Dots | 4s | 6s | Avg | SR |
2015 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | 80.0 |
2019 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8.0 | 133.3 |
2022 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | 60.0 |
2024 | 17 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | - | 141.7 |
Total | 32 | 28 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 32.0 | 114.3 |
Kohli vs Rabada: Year-by-Year Head to Head Stats in IPL
In IPL, Kohli has scored 36 runs off 32 balls, and Rabada has dismissed him 3 times. Kohli has hit 4 fours, played 11 dot balls, and has a strike rate of 112.5 with an average of 12.0.
Year | Runs | Balls | Outs | Dots | 4s | 6s | Avg | SR |
2019 | 12 | 13 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 12.0 | 92.3 |
2020 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8.0 | 114.3 |
2021 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 250.0 |
2022 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2.0 | 100.0 |
2024 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | - | 112.5 |
Total | 36 | 32 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 12.0 | 112.5 |
Verdict: Virat Kohli vs Kagiso Rabada Who Has the Edge?
In the battle between Virat Kohli and Kagiso Rabada, both players have had their moments. Kohli has performed strongly in Test cricket, scoring 253 runs at an average of 50.6, showing he can handle Rabada’s pace and bounce in the longer format. In ODIs, Kohli has also done well, averaging 69.0, while keeping his dismissals low.
However, in the T20 format, especially in franchise cricket, Rabada has had more success. He has dismissed Kohli three times in 32 balls in T20 leagues, and once in T20Is, keeping the Indian star relatively quiet in the shortest format.
Who has the edge?
Kohli clearly leads in Tests and ODIs, but Rabada’s impact in T20s levels the contest. Overall, Kohli holds a slight edge due to his consistency and higher run output across formats.
Must Read |
