Overview:
The former India wicketkeeper-batter pointed out that Kohli’s game awareness would not allow for that kind of risk when the team is under pressure.
Babar Azam is under intense scrutiny after his miscalculated attempt to take on Axar Patel in the Group A clash against India at the R Premadasa Stadium. Pakistan, captained by Salman Ali Agha, suffered a 61-run defeat, further worsening their T20 World Cup record against their arch-rivals. With Babar frequently compared to Virat Kohli over the years, Dinesh Karthik has now suggested that such parallels need to be reconsidered.
Chasing 176 against India, Pakistan were shaken early, losing three wickets inside the first two overs. With the innings in disarray, the stage was set for Babar Azam to steady the chase. Instead, he attempted an ambitious stroke against Axar Patel and was bowled, departing for five runs.
The former India wicketkeeper-batter pointed out that Kohli’s game awareness would not allow for that kind of risk when the team is under pressure.
“For a while, I’ve felt the comparison isn’t entirely fair, but let’s address it. I cannot imagine Virat Kohli playing that shot in the inning. It suggested a lack of conviction during a chase. That shot from Babar indicated he was trying to match the required rate, which isn’t typically his approach,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
“Handling pressure is what defines greatness. Not every innings will allow you to walk in and play freely. When I watched Babar Azam, I didn’t sense that clarity or confidence. At this stage, he’s far from the top of the world rankings in my view, Abhishek Sharma holds that position right now,” he added.