Former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli praised Pakistani skipper Babar Azam, acknowledging him as “probably the top batsman in the world.” Kohli, 34, discussed his rapport with Azam, highlighting their amicable relationship that has spanned since their initial encounter in Manchester back in 2019.
Reflecting on their first interaction, Kohli recollected the moment when Imad Wasim introduced Babar to him. He shared, “The first interaction I had with him [Babar] was during the 2019 [ODI] World Cup after the game in Manchester. I’ve known Imad [Wasim] since the Under-19 World Cup, and he said Babar wanted to have a chat. We sat down and spoke about the game. I saw a lot of regard and respect from him from day one, and that hasn’t changed,” Kohli stated in a Star Sports interview last year.
Kohli also commended Babar’s consistent performances since his debut, acknowledging him as an exemplary player across formats. Kohli expressed, “Regardless of the fact he’s probably the top batsman in the world across formats, and rightly so. Performs so consistently and I’ve always enjoyed watching him play.”
A palpable mutual respect has been evident between the two batters. In 2022, during a challenging phase in Kohli’s career, Azam displayed camaraderie by sharing a social media post, offering well wishes for Kohli’s swift comeback.
The Babar vs. Virat debate has been an ongoing topic in cricket circles for the past four years, sparking unending discussions. As the Cricket World Cup 2023 approaches, and with Pakistan’s skipper occupying the no.1 ranked batter spot globally, anticipation is building regarding how this debate will unfold in the context of the mega event.
The upcoming World Cup match on October 14 between Pakistan and India at the Narendra Modi Stadium will once again pit the two batters against each other, igniting the fervor of fans on a global scale.
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