INDIA: In a display of sportsmanship and camaraderie that transcends boundaries, Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has heaped accolades on Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam, dubbing him the “top batter across formats in the entire world.” This tribute comes despite the limited opportunities for India and Pakistan to clash on the cricket field, reflecting the mutual respect shared between cricketers of both nations.
Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, revered as two of the most illustrious batters of their generation, have rarely faced each other in competitive matches. However, their individual contributions to their respective teams have not gone unnoticed. In a recent candid interaction, Kohli opened up about his relationship with Babar and lauded the Pakistani batter’s extraordinary talent and consistency.
The origins of their rapport can be traced back to the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, where Kohli and Babar engaged in their first meaningful conversation after a match in Manchester. Initiated by Babar’s interest in discussing the game, this interaction left a lasting impression on Kohli. According to Kohli, the respect and regard he perceived from Babar during their initial meeting have remained unaltered since, a testament to the mutual admiration they share.
As Virat Kohli pointed out, Babar Azam’s batting is nothing short of extraordinary, earning him the distinction of being arguably the finest batter across all formats. Kohli’s praise for Babar’s consistent performances and exceptional skills echoes sentiments shared by cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Babar’s emergence as a batting force has not only set new standards in the sport but has also sparked a compelling rivalry with Kohli on the cricketing stage.
Despite the intensity of their competition on the field, both players have consistently upheld a sense of respect and sportsmanship towards each other. As Babar ascended to the pinnacle of ODI rankings, surpassing Kohli in the process, their rivalry took center stage in the cricketing world, symbolizing the dynamic nature of the sport.
At just 28 years old, Babar excelled across all three formats; he boasts an impressive record of 12,346 runs, including 30 centuries, a testament to his adaptability and consistency.
In the realm of One Day Internationals (ODIs), Babar’s performances have been nothing short of exceptional. Maintaining an average of nearly 60, Babar’s presence on the pitch is synonymous with excellence.
On the other side of the equation, Virat Kohli’s name is etched in cricketing history. With records that span 111 Tests, 275 ODIs, and 115 T20Is, Kohli has etched his legacy as one of the game’s greatest. With 8,676 Test runs and 12,898 runs in ODIs, he remains a driving force for Team India across formats.
As the cricketing world eagerly anticipates each of Kohli’s runs and centuries, the prospect of him surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record looms ever larger. With 25,000 international runs and 76 centuries, Kohli stands poised to challenge Tendulkar’s legacy of 34,357 international runs and 100 centuries.
The cricketing fraternity’s eyes are now fixed on the upcoming Asia Cup clash on September 2, as Babar Azam and Virat Kohli prepare to renew their on-field rivalry.
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