Pakistan’s limited-overs skipper Babar Azam has emerged as one of the powerhouses of batting in modern-day cricket. Such has been his consistency, many have drawn comparisons with India skipper Virat Kohli. However, veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes comparisons with Kohli will only put Babar under pressure.
The young right-handed batsman has been impressing everyone with his growth and consistency. He single-handedly has shouldered the responsibility of Pakistan’s batting in the last couple of years.
Comparison of Babar with Kohli is unfair – Ashwin
The 25-year-old has time and again drawn comparisons with his Indian counterpart. But India off-spinner feels it is unfair to compare Kohli with Babar. Adding that he likes watching the youngster bat, Ashwin admitted Babar Azam’s time will come when he will dominate the game like Virat Kohli.
“I really enjoy Babar Azam’s batting. I watched the century he scored in Australia,” ARY Sports quoted Ashwin as saying. “Comparisons with Virat Kohli will put pressure on him, which is unfair. Kohli is one of the finest cricketers the world has produced. I am sure Babar’s time will come too,” he explained.
So far, Babar Azam has represented Pakistan in 26 Tests, 74 ODIs and 38 T20Is. Currently, he is the No.1 batsman in the shortest format while he sits at No.3 and No.6 in the ODIs and Tests respectively.
Meanwhile, he has also kept aside all these comparisons and wants to focus on his game. Recently, Babar stated he would like to compare himself to Pakistan great instead of Virat Kohli. Currently, Babar Azam is in England with the Pakistan side, who will lock horns with England in three Tests followed by the same number of T20Is.
The right-handed batsman will have all sorts of responsibilities in his shoulder as Pakistan would like to make a winning start.