Kohli rates Babar as ‘top batsman in the world across formats’
Babar Azam and Virat Kohli
|| CF DESK ||
New Zealand romp to nine-wicket win in first Pakistan T20
16 Mar 25
Indian star Virat Kohli rated Pakistan star Babar Azam as the top batsman in the world cricket right now.
In an interview with Star Sports, Kohli discussed his friendship with the Pakistani skipper and said that they had been on excellent terms ever since they first met in Manchester in 2019.
"The first interaction I had with him [Babar] was during the 2019 [ODI] World Cup after the game in Manchester. I've known Imad [Wasim] since the Under-19 World Cup, and he said Babar wanted to have a chat. We sat down and spoke about the game. I saw a lot of regard and respect from him from day one, and that hasn't changed," Kohli said.
"Regardless of the fact he's probably the top batsman in the world across formats, and rightly so. Performs so consistently and I've always enjoyed watching him play."
Virat Kohli uncertain about future Australia tours but rules out retirement
16 Mar 25
Over the past five years, the rivalry between Kohli and Babar has always been a key component of the cultural fascination of matches between India and Pakistan, and partisan comparisons in both nations have intensified the flavor.
Kohli was the best ODI batter in the world when the two of them first met during that World Cup game in Manchester.
Over the years, as Babar has entered the prime of his career, he has risen to the top of the game, particularly in the ODI format.
On September 2, India and Pakistan to meet in Kandy in a match for the Asia Cup's group stage and they are expected to play at least once more in the Super 4 stage. Their World Cup match is slated on October 14 in Ahmedabad.
![Hamza Choudhury [L] and Shakib Al Hasan](https://cricfrenzy.com/public/storage/images/3-2025/123T1f2d6gd9Raae3098b7a5.jpg)
