Virat Kohli, a dependable batsman for India, praised Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam, describing him as perhaps the best batter in the world across all formats.
Even though Indian and Pakistani cricketers rarely face off against one another, there is still respect amongst them. The two finest batsmen of their time, Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, haven’t squared off against one another very much, but they each recognise the value that the other brings to their respective teams. Recently, Kohli and Babar engaged in conversation during which Kohli referred to the Pakistani batter as perhaps the best batter in the world across all formats. In the realm of cricket, Kohli and Babar are redefining what it means to bat.
Off the pitch, Virat acknowledged that he has always had a great deal of respect and esteem for the top ODI hitter, despite the fact that they compete against one another on the pitch. Kohli discussed his friendship with Babar when speaking to Star Sports, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
“After the match in Manchester during the 2019 (ODI) World Cup, that was my first encounter with Babar Azam. Babar wanted to talk, according to Imad (Wasim), who I’ve known since the Under-19 World Cup. We sat down and discussed the match. From the beginning, I could tell he held me in high regard and respect, and that hasn’t changed,” Kohli said.
“Despite the fact that he is undoubtedly the best batsman in the world across all formats, and for good reason. He continuously puts in great work, and I’ve always enjoyed watching him play,” Kohli continued.
For the previous five years, the rivalry between the two batters has consistently managed to be the main draw of the exciting match between India and Pakistan.
When Kohli’s bat troubles started, Babar entered his prime and overtook Kohli to overtake him as the best ODI batter.
Pakistan’s 28-year-old captain has participated in 49 Tests, 100 ODIs, and 104 T20 Internationals. He is a superstar in all three guises. At the elite level, he currently has 12346 runs under his belt, including 30 centuries.
Every time Babar Azam steps onto the pitch in ODIs, there are expectations of him due to the high standards he has established in the format. This is especially true of his performance in those games. It becomes further clearer because he is the top-ranked ODI batsman. In the 50-over format, Babar has scored more than 5000 runs at an average of over 60, without rarely going out of form.
Kohli is one of the best batsmen of all time, having scored 4,008 runs in 115 T20Is with one century and 37 fifties, 8,676 runs in 111 Tests with 29 hundreds and 29 fifties apiece, 12,898 runs in 275 ODIs with 46 centuries, and 65 fifties.
In anticipation of him surpassing great Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 34,357 international runs and 100 centuries, he currently has 25,000 international runs and 76 centuries. Fans keep track of each run and century he scores.
On September 2, the forthcoming Asia Cup match will feature a rematch between the two hitters.
