Now that Virat Kohli has brought his form back, the debate on who is better gets sparked up again: Virat Kohli or Babar Azam? The war of words among fans and journalists on this matter, though, has been going on for the past couple of years, since Babar Azam has been scoring big and consistently while Kohli’s form had been in a dip.
Most cricketers who can get a headline have had their say on who they feel is a better batsman, in one format or two or in all three.
Now, legendary former Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya, too, has joined the bandwagon, giving his mind on the Kohli-Babar hot topic.
Sanath Jayasuriya picks Kohli over Babar
One of the most destructive batters ever, Sanath Jayasuriya has picked Virat Kohli as not only better than Babar Azam, but he’s also named the 33-year-old former India skipper as his and his son’s favourite cricketer.
Speaking to Sportskeeda Cricket, with a smiling face, Jayasuriya said, “I like Virat Kohli. He is my favourite player and also my son’s favourite player too.”
While Kohli finished the Asia Cup 2022 with 276 runs in 5 innings, raising 2 fifties along with the hundred, Pakistani skipper Babar Azam has only managed 63 runs in 5 innings so far. He will get a chance to get back to form in the Asia Cup final on Sunday against Sri Lanka.
Ravi Shastri heaps praise on Virat Kohli, the opener!
After over three years of wait -1020 days and 83 international innings- Virat Kohli finally got to his 71st century, equalling Ricky Ponting at the second position, when he clattered 122* off 61 balls against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup game.
Kohli opened the innings as Rohit Sharma was rested, and proceeded to slam his first T20I century, having made his debut back in 2010 in this format.
Looking at Virat Kohli’s ton and his numbers as an opener in T20Is – 9 innings, 400 runs, an average of 57 with 1 century and two fifties – and his immense success as RCB’s opener, former India head coach Ravi Shastri reckoned the selectors don’t need to add a back-up opener in the 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup as Kohli can double up as a back-up opener in case Rohit or KL Rahul gets injured during the tournament.
“I think what today’s innings of Virat Kohli has done, is that it has thrown the spanner in the works. It is allowed now for the selectors to think, ‘do we need a third opener?’” Shastri told Star Sports.
“When Virat Kohli is there, you got KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma, and Virat could well be the third opener in case there’s an injury. It allows you to have an extra fast bowler, as well as an extra batsman in the middle order. So, it does open some opportunity,” he added.
