The comparisons between Indian star batsman and skipper Virat Kohli and Pakistan rising star who is now limited over skipper Babar Azam is going on non stop in cricket circles, but the former India cricketer turned analyst has termed the comparisons as insensible.
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra said this in a YouTube interview with former Pakistan pacer Tanvir Ahmed.
According to Chopra, Kohli has already established his name amongst the all-time greats whereas Babar still has a long journey ahead of him.
“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 said that Kohli’s passion levels are immense, something which drives him towards greatness.
“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,” he added.