Cricket, a sport where statistics often tell a story, has seen its fair share of performance fluctuations among its stars. Currently, comparisons are rife between Babar Azam and Virat Kohli, especially in light of their respective slumps. However, drawing parallels between Babar Azam’s current form and Virat Kohli’s lean phase from 2020-2022 might not serve justice to the nuanced differences in their careers.
2 Reasons Why Babar Azam’s Poor Form Should Not Be Compared With Virat Kohli’s Lean Phase:
1. Consistency in Scoring: Kohli’s 50s vs. Babar’s Struggles
During Virat Kohli’s much-discussed lean phase, which spanned from 2020 to 2022, critics often pointed out the absence of centuries in his tally. Yet, a deeper dive reveals that Kohli was far from out of form. He consistently scored half-centuries, often reaching scores in the 70s and 80s. This period might not have been adorned with triple figures, but Kohli’s ability to anchor innings and build substantial partnerships remained intact. This consistency, even if it didn’t convert into centuries, showcased his resilience and capability to score runs under pressure.
Contrast this with Babar Azam’s recent performances. Babar, often hailed as the modern-day great, has not just failed to score centuries but has struggled to reach even the half-century marks regularly. Where Kohli’s scores during his lean phase were a testament to his ability to grind out runs, Babar’s inconsistency highlights a more profound issue in his game. He hasn’t been able to build innings, which is crucial in test cricket and often in ODIs and T20s where innings construction can turn the tide of a match.
2. The Aura of Match-Winning Ability
Another critical aspect where Kohli’s lean phase stands distinct from Babar’s current form is the psychological impact they have on their opposition. Even in his quieter phases, Kohli carried an aura. Opponents knew that on any given day, Kohli could erupt into a match-winning performance, making him a constant threat. This psychological edge often forced bowlers to adjust their lines and lengths, sometimes leading to errors that Kohli capitalized on.
Babar Azam, despite his undeniable talent, has not yet instilled such fear. While he has had moments of brilliance, the consistency required to maintain this aura has been lacking. Oppositions do not seem to alter their strategies significantly when facing Babar, suggesting a perceived reduction in his threat level compared to Kohli’s perennial menace.
Comparing Babar Azam’s current form with Virat Kohli’s lean phase does both players a disservice given the nuanced differences in their cricketing journeys. Kohli’s ability to score consistently, even if not at his peak, alongside his match-winning reputation, sets his phase apart from Babar’s struggles. Babar, on the other hand, needs to find a way back to his scoring ways, not just for personal glory but to reclaim his standing as one of the game’s feared batsmen. Cricket, with its ebbs and flows, rewards those who can adapt and overcome, and both these legends have their unique paths to tread.
ALSO READ: 3 Reasons Why Babar Azam Should Never Be Compared To Virat Kohli
