Babar Azam, Pakistan’s talismanic batsman, is often hailed as one of the best batsmen in the world. However, in a recent analysis, former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra highlighted that Babar has not yet reached the lofty standards set by the cricketing legend Virat Kohli, despite claims to the contrary by some Pakistani fans.
Chopra’s comments came in the backdrop of Pakistan’s challenging task of chasing down Australia’s formidable target of 368 runs in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 clash in Bengaluru. Babar Azam, leading from the front, entered the crease with high expectations. Unfortunately, he was dismissed for just 18 runs as Pakistan was eventually bowled out for 305, conceding a 62-run victory to the Australians.
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In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra offered his perspective on the comparison between Babar Azam and Virat Kohli. He explained that while Babar is undoubtedly highly regarded globally and fondly referred to as the “king” by Pakistan, he is not yet on par with the batting maestro Virat Kohli. Chopra emphasized that this is a reflection of Babar’s career stage and the impressive milestones that Kohli has already achieved, such as 48 ODI centuries and 78 total centuries.
“The world rates Babar. Pakistan calls him ‘king’. They say a lot of times that he is better than King Kohli or at par with him. At this point, he is not. He is not close to the king,” he said. Aakash Chopra candidly stated, “I am telling you the truth because Babar’s journey has just started, and Virat Kohli has already reached there.”
Babar’s performance in the World Cup has drawn attention. Aakash Chopra pointed out that Babar has yet to demonstrate the ability to thrive in high-pressure situations, something Kohli is renowned for. While Babar has recorded numerous centuries, the context in which Kohli achieves his milestones sets him apart. Kohli has a reputation for delivering century-making performances against arch-rivals like Pakistan, and he often scores centuries when the team requires a match-winning effort.
“It’s not only about the centuries because Babar has also scored a lot of centuries but think about the games in which he (Kohli) scores runs. He scores hundreds against Pakistan. When a total of 150-odd is required for a win, he scores a century in that.” he added
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Chopra’s analysis is a fair and objective assessment of Babar Azam’s current standing in the world of cricket. Babar has the potential to be one of the all-time greats, but he is still in the early stages of his career and has not yet achieved the same level of success as Virat Kohli. Only time will tell if Babar can reach the same heights as Kohli, but there is no doubt that he is a special talent.
