Viv Richards declares Babar Azam the true ‘King’ of Cricket, says this about Virat Kohli

Legendary West Indies icon Viv Richards has shockingly put Virat Kohli and Babar Azam in the same bracket, as he hailed the duo as the rulers of the modern era. The legendary cricketer said that Virat Kohli and Babar Azam’s class and commitment define the true spirit of cricket.

Viv Richards, who is known for his fearless and dominant style during his playing days, admired how both batting stars carry the legacy of excellence with grace and pride. Richards also hopes that Kohli, Babar, and the new generation of players will continue to uphold the game’s values.

Viv Richards calls Virat Kohli and Babar Azam the "Kings" of the modern era

The legendary West Indies batter said that it’s not just about runs or records, but how the sport is played with heart, honor, and hunger, and these traits are beautifully shown by both Kohli and Babar.

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Viv Richards was quoted as saying by a Pakistani journalist, “A king is someone who rules over all. When you look at players like Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, you see them doing justice to the game of cricket. I hope both of them, along with other young players, continue to play in the same spirit.”

Meanwhile, Richards reacted to the ongoing batting struggles of Babar Azam. He reminded everyone that even the greatest players face struggles for form.

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Viv Richards backs Babar Azam to regain his form soon

The former West Indies captain noted that dips in form are part of a player’s journey, but true greatness lies in bouncing back stronger, and he has shown his full confidence in the former Pakistan captain’s ability to rise again.

Richards said, “No matter how good a batter you are, everyone has to face a dip in form. This is not the first time Babar Azam has encountered such a situation. He is a very fine player, and I’m confident he will regain his form soon.”

No matter how good a batter you are, everyone has to face a dip in form. This is not the first time Babar Azam has encountered such a situation. He is a very fine player, and I’m confident he will regain his form soon.Viv Richards

— Saleem Khaliq (@saleemkhaliq) April 24, 2025

Babar Azam and Virat Kohli busy in PSL and IPL commitments

Notably, Kohli is currently busy fulfilling his IPL duties for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The dashing right-hander has shown good form with the bat in the ongoing IPL 2025, where he has amassed 322 runs in 8 games so far with the help of four fifties.

The former Indian captain will now be seen in action on Thursday, April 24, when RCB will host Rajasthan Royals in their next IPL 2025 clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Currently, RCB is sitting in the fourth spot with five wins from eight games so far in the tournament.

On the other hand, Babar Azam is currently leading the Peshawar Zalmi in the ongoing Pakistan Super League 2025 (PSL 2025). However, Babar is yet to show his form in the tournament. In the ongoing PSL 2025, not just Babar, but also his team Peshawar Zalmi, is struggling to make an impact.

Peshawar Zalmi has so far played four matches in the tournament but could win a single game, and they are currently ranked fourth in the PSL 2025 points table. The struggling skipper Babar could also manage only 0, 1, 2, and 46 runs in his four outings so far in the ongoing tournament.

Also Read: Virat Kohli not a ‘great’? Viv Richards drops a bold verdict