Asia Cup 2023: Watch - Old Video Of Virat Kohli Calling Babar Azam "Top Batsman In The World" Resurfaces

An old video of the Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli has resurfaced on social media platforms in which he has been seen labeling the Pakistan premier batter Babar Azam as the “top batsman in the world” across formats of the game.

Kohli and Babar are regarded as two of the best batters in the world. Kohli has already established himself as one of the greatest ever to play the game of cricket while Babar is on the path of achieving greatness.

The two star batters will be up against each other when India and Pakistan will lock horns in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, which will be co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, which will be held in India.

The arch-rivals will go head-to-head in the Asia Cup on September 2 in Pallekele. They are also expected to take on each other in the group stage. After the continental tournament, the Men In Blue and the Men In Green will compete in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup on October 14 in Ahmedabad.

Ahead of the Asia Cup, Star Sports shared a video of Kohli from last year in which he recalled his first interaction with Babar Azam.

“The first interaction I had with him [Babar] was during the 2019 [ODI] World Cup after the game in Manchester,” Kohli recalled in the interview.

“I’ve known Imad [Wasim] since the Under-19 World Cup, and he said Babar wanted to have a chat.

I saw a lot of regard and respect from Babar from day one – Virat Kohli

Kohli said that Babar has always shown respect to him. He also lauded Babar for performing consistently and labeled him as a top batter in the world.

“We sat down and spoke about the game. I saw a lot of regard and respect from him from day one, and that hasn’t changed,” Kohli said. “Regardless of the fact he’s probably the top batsman in the world across formats, and rightly so. Performs so consistently and I’ve always enjoyed watching him play,” Kohli added.

Watch The Clip Here:

A bond beyond boundaries!

Here's what @imVkohli had to say about his 1st interaction with @babarazam258 & his genuine admiration for the Pakistani skipper!

Put your #HandsUpForIndia & tune-in to #INDvPAK on #AsiaCupOnStar
Sep 2, Saturday | 2 PM Onwards | Star Sports Network pic.twitter.com/vvkbrePWFe

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 12, 2023

Babar Azam is currently the No.1 ranked ODI batter in the world and he was the one to dethrone Kohli from the top position. Also, he is in the top five of the rankings in T20Is and Tests.