Virat Kohli Comparison Will Put Pressure On Babar Azam: R Ashwin

Virat Kohli is the best batsman in the international cricket and Babar Azam, who has proved his mettle, has often been compared to the Indian captain. Premier India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes it is unfair on Babar Azam to make comparisons with Virat Kohli as it will put more pressure on him.

In the recent past, Babar Azam has shouldered the burden of scoring runs for Pakistan across format with ease. As a result, he is compared with the likes of one of the finest cricketers of the generation Virat Kohli. His success in international cricket has bore fruits for him with his board further appointing him as the captain of the limited-overs side.

Ashwin said that he enjoys watching Babar Azam bat and saw him scoring century in Australia but also highlighted that comparisons with Virat Kohli will put pressure on the Pakistan star, which is unfair on his part. Ashwin also added that Kohli is the finest cricketer the world has seen and Babar might also reach there.

“I really enjoy Babar Azam’s batting. I watched the century he scored in Australia,” he was quoted as saying by ARY Sports. “Comparisons with Virat Kohli will put pressure on him, which is unfair. Kohli is one of the finest cricketers the world has produced. I am sure Babar’s time will come too,” he explained.

Azam earned his ODI cap in 2015. But he was always persistent towards it as he did not shy away from challenges as a youngster. Azam has scored at an average of 45 in the longest format and over 50 in the limited-overs, which says a lot about his batting. Whereas Virat Kohli averages over 53 in Tests and nearly 60 in ODIs at present.

Pakistan are scheduled to resume their cricket season in England and has shown willingness to send their squad for the Test and T20I series starting in July. The three-Test series against England is slated to get underway from July 30 with the final match to conclude on August 24.

Azam will be next seen in action in Pakistan’s tour to England