- Babar Azam and Virat Kohli exchange heartfelt admiration.
- Both players excel in One Day Internationals (ODIs).
- Virat Kohli acknowledges Pakistan’s formidable bowling attack.
In a heartening exchange of admiration, cricketing rivals Pakistan’s Babar Azam and India’s Virat Kohli showcased the camaraderie and mutual respect that exists between them. Kohli, one of cricket’s most prominent figures, expressed his deep appreciation for Azam, highlighting their initial meeting and the continued respect he holds for the Pakistani star.
Kohli’s words of praise for Azam underscored the genuine admiration between the two players. Despite Babar Azam’s meteoric rise to become one of the world’s top batsmen across all formats, Kohli’s regard for him has remained unwavering. Kohli acknowledged Azam’s incredible talent and consistent performance, emphasizing his enjoyment of watching Azam play.
Babar Azam, in response to Kohli’s compliments, expressed his delight and pride. He described how such praise bolsters his confidence and acknowledged the positive impact of Virat Kohli on his game. Their interaction in 2019, when Kohli was at his peak, left a lasting impression on Azam. He eagerly absorbed insights from Kohli, who generously shared his knowledge and answered all of Azam’s cricketing queries.
Beyond rivalries and runs, lies a foundation of respect! 🤝💙@babarazam258‘s touching encounter with @imVkohli echoes the sentiment of mutual regard that cricket fosters. 🇮🇳🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/YStrJsGDYU
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 31, 2023
The mutual learning and respect between these cricketing giants exemplify the spirit of sportsmanship. Both players have excelled in the One Day International (ODI) format, with impressive records to their names. Azam boasts a remarkable ODI average of 59.47 with 19 centuries, while Kohli has amassed 46 ODI hundreds at an outstanding average of 57.32.
Virat Kohli also expressed his deep love for ODI cricket, highlighting how the format comprehensively tests a player’s skills, technique, and adaptability. He explained that the dynamic nature of ODI cricket challenges him as a batsman, pushing him to excel in various game situations and phases. This, Kohli believes, brings out the best in him and allows him to contribute effectively to his team’s success.
When discussing Pakistan’s cricketing strengths, Kohli acknowledged the formidable bowling attack they possess. With the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Shadab Khan, Pakistan’s bowling unit is recognized as one of the most potent in world cricket. Kohli emphasized the need for his team to be at their absolute best when facing such a formidable bowling lineup.