'It's Great For Selling…': Aakash Chopra on Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam Debate
Babar Azam and Virat Kohli (R) | Source: X.com
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that Babar Azam is a talented player, but he has not quite reached Virat Kohli's standard. India and Pakistan will go head-to-head against each other on October 14 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Babar Azam, off to a lacklustre start in the World Cup, is frequently compared to Virat Kohli. However, according to Aakash Chopra, these comparisons are often made for sensationalism. For Babar Azam to be likened to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, he must first deliver on the global stage.
Here’s what Aakash Chopra said during an exclusive conversation with OneCricket’s LOC 3.0:
“It’s great for selling, but there’s nothing like Virat vs Babar. Neither Virat will bowl to Babar, nor Babar will bowl to Virat. But that’s the reality, what sells the most comes on the thumbnail as well. But look at WC numbers, Rohit is even ahead of Virat. Babar of course needs to perform at the world stage. Then Babar would come into the league of Virat and Rohit’s.”
Even during the Asia Cup 2023, Babar Azam's only century came against Nepal, a team with a significantly weaker bowling attack. His performance has dipped since then, as he couldn’t cross the 10-run mark in Pakistan's first two matches against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka.
"We all appreciated his knock against Nepal, he has an ODI average of 60. Virat also doesn’t have that. But he doesn’t have an ODI fifty against India.”
On the other hand, Virat Kohli's World Cup 2023 campaign has taken off with a bang. He notched up 85 runs in the opening match against Australia, leading his team to a resounding six-wicket win. In the most recent match at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, he remained unbeaten with 55 runs against Afghanistan.
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