Kohli and Labuschagne Stats Compared Ahead of AUS vs IND 2025 Series

The upcoming ODI series between Australia and India in 2025 has drawn attention to two of cricket’s prominent batters: Virat Kohli and Marnus Labuschagne. Both players, known for their ability to anchor innings, will play crucial roles as they return to international cricket under different circumstances.

Kohli is making his first appearance for Team India since the 2025 Champions Trophy, having retired from other formats. Labuschagne, conversely, is rejoining the squad after a tumultuous period in his career. The right-handed batter was dropped from the Test side following his performance in the 2025 World Test Championship Final against South Africa and struggled in a recent ODI series against South Africa, scoring only two runs in two innings. Nevertheless, he has rebounded impressively, scoring three centuries in his last four innings for Queensland, which earned him a recall to the ODI squad, particularly after Cameron Green‘s injury.

As both players prepare for this series, their approaches to the middle overs and their ability to counter spin bowling will be closely scrutinized. A comparison of their statistics after 66 ODIs reveals insights into their careers thus far.

Kohli boasts a significantly higher overall batting average compared to Labuschagne, whose numbers have not yet lived up to his potential. Interestingly, both players share similar strike rates, illustrating a parallel in their batting styles. Notably, the time taken to reach 66 ODIs also highlights their differing career trajectories; Kohli achieved this milestone during the home series against England in 2011, shortly after his debut. In contrast, Labuschagne has taken nearly six years to reach the same mark due to his fluctuating presence in the ODI setup.

Virat Kohli has been recognized for his resilience in white-ball formats since his ODI debut in 2008 during a tour of Sri Lanka. His first 66 ODIs include memorable performances, such as his maiden ODI century during a challenging run chase against Sri Lanka and a hundred in his World Cup debut. His statistics show negligible differences between home and away performances early in his career, indicating his potential for long-term success.

Marnus Labuschagne’s journey has been different. Over a third of his ODI appearances have come away from home, starting with a strong debut in India. However, his performance on home soil has been disappointing, with 18 appearances yielding no centuries and a highest score of only 70. In his last six ODIs in Australia, he has managed just 58 runs, raising concerns about his consistency.

Both players share similarities in their batting positions early in their careers. Kohli debuted during a time when the Indian top order featured legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Initially, he often batted at No.4 before securing the iconic No.3 spot. Labuschagne has similarly occupied the No.4 position due to Steve Smith‘s dominance in that role.

As the Australia-India series approaches, both Kohli and Labuschagne are set to be focal points, not just for their individual performances but for their ability to shape the outcome of the matches through their strategic batting. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these two players perform and what impact they have on their respective teams. Their contrasting journeys, from Kohli’s early establishment as a white-ball star to Labuschagne’s fight for consistency, will undoubtedly add an intriguing layer to the series.