‘Virat Kohli And Babar Azam Should Not Be Mentioned In The Same Breath’, Says R. Ashwin

October 16, 2024: Ravichandran Ashwin stirred the cricketing debate once again by weighing in on the often-discussed comparison between Pakistan’s Babar Azam and India’s Virat Kohli.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin made a bold statement, Saying “Definitely, if he is given a chance, he will score runs. If there is class, that is okay. I feel we should end this debate once and for all. First of all, across the border, Babar Azam and Virat Kohli shouldn’t be mentioned in the same line,” Ashwin said.

The all-rounder said that while he rates Babar as “outstanding”, Virat’s credentials are “something else”.

“I am very sorry, I really rate Babar Azam as an outstanding player, but Virat Kohli’s credentials are something else. Across terrains, across times, across pressure situations, the kind of heists he has done, no one has done that in world cricket. As far as I know, at this point, if anyone comes close, it is Joe Root in Test cricket,” he added.

Ashwin acknowledged Babar’s class and ability to score runs but drew attention to Virat’s remarkable consistency, particularly in high-pressure situations, which sets him apart. He highlighted Kohli’s record-breaking career, including his numerous match-winning performances and adaptability across formats. Ashwin also mentioned that only Joe Root comes close to Kohli in terms of Test cricket achievements, underscoring Kohli’s global dominance.

Virat Kohli’s career stats speak for themselves: over 27,000 runs, 80 centuries, and an average of 53.23 across 535 international matches, establishing him as an all-format great. His impact is particularly profound in ODI cricket, where he has scored almost 14,000 runs at an average of 58.18, with 50 centuries. Kohli’s longevity and versatility have allowed him to thrive in all formats, from Tests to ODIs and T20s, further solidifying his place as one of the greatest cricketers of all time.

On the other hand, Babar, who debuted in international cricket in 2015, has impressive numbers, especially in ODIs where his average of 56.72 makes him one of the most formidable modern-day batters. However, as Ashwin pointed out, Babar’s Test form has been less consistent lately, with his last 50-plus score coming in December 2022 and a recent slump in Test cricket that has seen him average just 20.70 in his last 17 innings.

Ashwin’s comments reflect his belief that while Babar is on the path to greatness, Kohli’s body of work, particularly his ability to deliver in crucial moments across all formats, places him in a different league altogether.