Should Babar Azam be compared to Virat Kohli?
If you have a batting average of 45+ in all the 3 formats and the current ICC ranking of no. 5 in Tests, no. 3 in ODIs and no. 1 in T-20Is, then you are definitely a great player. After all not everyone is so consistent in all the 3 formats and not everyone has these kind of numbers either! But should we compare him to the modern great?
A young career of 26 tests, 74 ODIs and 38 T-20Is is still too small to be compared with a guy who has played 86 tests, 248 ODIs and 81 T-20Is with the better consistency. Virat has almost scored 4 times more runs and centuries than Babar Azam in tests and ODIs. Apart from these numbers, there are a lot of things that should be compared too. The number of games Virat has won for India are a lot more than Babar has won for Pakistan. The intensity, the dominance, the contribution in victories, the performances under pressure, the performances across the world & the performances in a run chase are a few more things where Virat is a lot ahead than Babar Azam.
Yes, there is no doubt that Babar Azam is a brilliant player and is a special talent but he hasn't played a lot yet. The sample size is too small to be compared. Yes, he has been exceptional in whatever games he has played. But there is a long way for him to go and the way he will handle the ups and downs, the pressure situations & the criticism will determine how great a player he will become. But for me, there is no comparison between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam at the moment. Virat Kohli is miles ahead than him. Yes, Babar Azam has started well but there is a long way for him to go and a lot of sincere efforts will be required to even reach the level where Virat Kohli is at the moment.
Excellent presentation of ideas!ππ½π€πΌ
ReplyDelete