Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin revealed his opinion regarding the comparison drawn between star Indian bater Virat Kohli and Pakistan talisman Babar Azam.
Babar was left out of the second Test against England by the PCB following a horrendous run in whites. While Ashwin said he had no doubts over the Pakistani batter’s quality and ability to make runs, he also rubbished parallels drawn between Babar and Kohli.
Finally ash na called out Kohli – Babar comparison. No one elevated Kohli and Rohit better than Ash na ! @ashwinravi99 pic.twitter.com/vWdGTyeQK3— Sriramk6 (@06ramK) October 15, 2024
“Babar will definitely score runs if given a chance, he is a quality player,” the spinner began.
“But, I feel we should end this debate once and for all,” he continued.
“First of all, just because he is across the border, do not write Babar Azam and Virat Kohli’s names in the same line,” the 38-year-old asserted.
“I’m very sorry. I really rate Babar Azam, he is an incredible player. But, Virat Kohli’s credentials are something else,” he continued.
“Across terrains, across times, across pressure situations, the kind of heists he has done is unprecedented in world cricket,” Ashwin added.
He went on to add that English batter Joe Root, who has been in stunning touch in recent times comes closest to the star Indian batter.
“At this point in time, the closest second is Joe Root,” Ashwin added.
Babar has had to endure a prolonged stint of troubled form in the longest form of the game as he has struggled to put up a landmark score in over a year now.
He was dismissed for 30 runs and 5 runs in the first and second innings of the opening Test at home against England, as the visitors registered a rout by winning by an innings and 47 runs.
In the opening Test of the series, Pakistan managed to post a first-innings total of 556 runs thanks to tons from skipper Shan Masood, Salman Ali Agha and Abdullah Shafique. England replied with 823 runs riding on a Harry Brook triple-century and a double-ton from Root. The English bowlers bundled out Pakistan for 220 runs in the second innings to clinch a thumping win.
Babar was subsequently dropped from the squad for the second Test and was replaced by Khamran Ghulam, who made a century at Multan on the first day of the second Test.
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