IND vs PAK: Virat Kohli and Babar Azam dragged in the cover drive race!! This player wins it

Updated - 09 Jun 2024, 04:02 PM

Babar Azam and Virat Kohli
Babar Azam and Virat Kohli (Credits: X)

A handful of players from different teams in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, debated about the topic as to which batter's cover drive is better - Virat Kohli or Babar Azam

The two cricketers are perhaps the biggest names in world cricket at the moment and fans are often divided in opinions while comparing those two. The most prominent scale of their comparison is cricket's most loved shot, the Cover Drive. This particular shot has infected a lot of people's minds with some, who are not even cricketers, even practicing the shot towards extra cover.

In the modern era, Virat Kohli is said to have one of the most beautiful cover drives ever seen in the game of cricket. His initial movement, his shape while playing the shot, and follow through second to absolutely none. However, Pakistan's Babar Azam, ever since his come up, is said to have a cover drive as attractive and as elegant as Kohli's. 

This seems to be a never-ending debate and one that will possibly never end. Both Babar Azam and Virat Kohli are all set to be in action later tonight and one thing is certain, the cover drive will not decide anything but the match result will. 

Cricketers have divided opinions about Virat Kohli and Babar Azam's cover drive 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently asked players from different teams to choose from Babar Azam and Virat Kohli. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan was the first one to appear in front of the camera and state his views. Rashid went with the Indian batter's cover drive without any second thoughts. 

Then Ireland's Joshua Little, to a little surprise, claimed that he likes Babar Azam's cover drive more. Netherlands batter Max O'Dowd agreed with Little and named Babar as the better cover drive player. South African speedster Kagiso Rabada remained loyal to Virat Kohli, claiming that the latter has a better technique than the Pakistani. 

Afghanistan opening batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz was seemingly confused as he asked the ICC if he could choose both of the batters. And his response, too, was equally confusing as he chose both Babar Azam and Virat Kohli, possibly to not hurt anyone's feelings. Dutch seamer Logan Van Beek perhaps had the most straightforward response. 

Van Beek, who had traveled to India for the 50-over World Cup last year, had conceded a few fours off cover drives from Virat Kohli. Therefore, for the Dutchman, the choice was very simple. "I don't need to explain it. He hit me for a few last year at the World Cup and it was pretty mesmerizing and I hope he doesn't do it again to me." - Van Beek said via ICC.  

Namibia all-rounder David Wiese, despite being Kohli's RCB teammate, named Babar Azam as the better cover driver. Corey Anderson named Virat Kohli so did Dasun Shanaka, and Bas de Leede while USA pacer Ali Khan named Babar. 

With that being said, don't forget to tune into the India-Pakistan clash later tonight at the Nassau County Stadium in New York. 

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Tagged:

Babar Azam Virat Kohli Pakistan national cricket team Rashid Khan David Wiese Rahmanullah Gurbaz Bas de Leede India National Cricket Team ICC T20 World Cup India vs Pakistan IND vs PAK