It's premature to compare Babar Azam with 'all-time great' Virat Kohli: Aakash Chopra

Babar Azam’s rise on the international stage has been phenomenal. Since breaking into the national side in 2015, Babar has emerged as the run-scoring machine for Pakistan.

In his short international cricket career, Babar has managed to score 3,359 and 1,471 runs in just 74 ODIs and 38 T20Is respectively. Talking about his Test expeditions, Babar has amassed 1850 runs in 26 matches at an impressive average of 45.

Considering his impressive records, the right-hander is anticipated to be the ‘Next Big Thing’ of Pakistan cricket. He already has paved his way to becoming one of the best modern-day batsmen.

With his technique and consistency, Babar is often compared to his Indian contemporary Virat Kohli. With his sheer numbers and run-scoring spree, 31-year-old Kohli has already established himself as one of the best to have braced the sport.

Considering the difference in the experience of Kohli and Babar, cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra said that it’s ‘premature’ to compare the Pakistan star with the Indian skipper.

In a YouTube interview with former Pakistan pacer Tanvir Ahmed, Chopra said that Kohli has already established his name amongst the all-time greats. Babar, on the other hand, has a long way to go until he paves his way into the list of all-time greats.

Virat’s name is already included in all-time greats: Aakash Chopra

“Babar is an exciting talent. There is no doubt about that. It is also true that Virat Kohli is very far away in this race. He is older and started cricket before Babar. Virat’s name is already included in the conversation of all-time greats,” said Chopra.

“Babar has the necessary skills to reach that point, but the real question is whether he will be able to reach those heights which depends on many things such as discipline, injuries, form and many other things which will come along as time goes on.

Talent can only take you to a place but you have to have that incredible passion that drives you forward. Virat did not have that from the start but fostered it along the way,” he added.

Chopra also lauded the current India skipper for his focus and discipline, which makes him one of the best in the world. It’s Kohli’s ‘incredible’ passion which makes him thrive, according to Chopra who donned the India jersey in 10 Tests.

“Comparing the two batsmen at the start of their careers seems a little unfair. Virat was exceptionally talented from the start. I can’t say that Babar is batting better than Virat was during this stage of his career but both are exceptional talents. Now the difference in Virat is his extreme focus. He is disciplined and focused on his training and diet. This level of discipline comes from that incredible passion,” Chopra concluded.

Here’s the video: