Virat Kohli and Babar Azam in same league: Mushtaq Mohammad

[Hitman]

The comparisons between India captain Virat Kohli and Pakistan skipper Babar Azam have raged on for some years. Both are top batsmen for their countries and have been consistent in their performances in international cricket. However, Kohli has consistently been on the top of the batting rankings and leads his team with example, taking Team India to the top of the rankings in Test as well as second in ODIs.

Kohli is already regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket and looks set to break a plethora of batting records. Azam, on the other hand, is the top batsman in the shortest format of the game and has been named as Pakistan’s T20I and Test skipper.

Former Pakistan skipper Mushtaq Muhammad also commented on the comparisons and said that both batsmen are in the same league. Muhammad rued the fact that Kohli gets to play more Tests than Babar.

“Kohli might be a better player and more experienced but Babar is a top batsman and in same league but he doesn’t get too many Tests in a year.”

Mushtaq, a competent all-rounder who played 57 tests and 502 first class matches after making his test debut against the West Indies in 1959 at the age of just 15, rued the fact that India and Pakistan were not playing regularly against each other either at senior or lower levels.

Muhammad, feels a sound structure is behind the impressive rise of Indian cricket. The 76-year-old, who is based in Birmingham, told PTI on a visit to Karachi that he was impressed by India’s success and growth as a cricket nation.

“They are ahead of Pakistan and some other nations now because they have developed a sound cricket system by not making too many changes to their structure, their domestic and international players are well paid and they have built a strong pool of players,” said Mushtaq.

Mushtaq is credited with infusing a self-belief in the Pakistan team and introducing a culture of positivity and winning mentality among the players when he became captain in 1976.

Belonging to the famous Muhammad brothers cricketing family, Mushtaq led Pakistan to a home series victory over India and New Zealand besides twice winning Tests in Australia, in West Indies and beating New Zealand in New Zealand.

He was ousted and dropped as captain and player in a mini-revolt by some senior players before the famous 1978/79 tour to India where Pakistan lost the Test series.

Mushtaq, who later went on to become the head coach of the Pakistan team leading them to their first ever tri-series one-day triumph in Australia and also to the final of the 1999 World Cup, said the Indian board had also done well to not allow its players to play in any T20 league around the world except the IPL.

“That has helped them a lot. They pay and look after their players so well that their players don’t mind this restriction and can focus on India.

“Indian cricket is at top now because look at the number of matches they are playing at home and they are also getting better on overseas tours. In comparison Pakistan hardly plays regular Test series.” Mushtaq also had great praise for Indian captain Virat Kohli and batsman Rohit Sharma, calling them world-class performers.

“Kohli is lucky to have such a pool of players to pick from but he is still a good tactical captain. Technique wise also when I look at the Indian players they are moving ahead day by day.” Mushtaq said Pakistan’s top batsman Babar Azam was also a world class product but he was not getting the same opportunities to showcase his talent like Kohli or other Indian players.

“It is very sad for someone like me because I played a lot against and with Indian players and I learnt from them and they from me. It is unfortunate that politics has crept in and India doesn’t want to play bilateral matches with us. It is hurting world cricket,” he added.

Link: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...-prospering/story-klEYIf1xdyOogoAcv79UoN.html

 

[Shafi]

Another unnecessary statement to put pressure on Babar. The so-called formers 's mouths need to glued. All they do always boast or compare our players who has just started to those who are already achieve greatness. First Shehzad better than Tendulqar, Umar Akmal as good as Kohli and now this.

 

[Waleed93]

Another unnecessary statement to put pressure on Babar. The so-called formers 's mouths need to glued. All they do always boast or compare our players who has just started to those who are already achieve greatness. First Shehzad better than Tendulqar, Umar Akmal as good as Kohli and now this.

The difference is that Babar doesn't seem to care about these comparisons.

Shehzad would have liked and retweeted quotes about Abdul Razzaq calling him as talented as Tendulkar on his Twitter handle.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

Why Kohli? Babar must aim to emulate Steve Smith who in my opinion is the most complete batsman of this era. Kohli is the 2nd best followed by Williamson and Babar.

 

[Hitman]

Why Kohli? Babar must aim to emulate Steve Smith who in my opinion is the most complete batsman of this era. Kohli is the 2nd best followed by Williamson and Babar.

There's a reason why Kohli is the gold standard for every Pakistani batsman, not Smith. Anyways, Babar is a very fine talent. But to compare him to Kohli is a big joke.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

There's a reason why Kohli is the gold standard for every Pakistani batsman, not Smith.

And what would the reason be?

 

[Hitman]

And what would the reason be?

Could it be because Kohli is the best batsman by a long shot when all 3 formats are combined?

 

[Bodamma90]

Just another statement from an out of touch old man. Take it with a pinch of salt. Babar is on his way to greatness but it’s a long journey to the ‘league’ . He had the potential to be the best but it’d be a folly to put too much pressure of expectations on him. He has the burden to carry entire pak batting right now and no one even close to him in quality. let him be.

 

[jnaveen1980]

He has to get into Labu's league first. big scores like 150, 200. 70s occasional 100s won't make him stand out. Amla at his peak ended up with an average 490 in India He was 26 then. Made 253*, 114, 123* in 3 innings.

 

[andy0204]

He has to get into Labu's league first. big scores like 150, 200. 70s occasional 100s won't make him stand out. Amla at his peak ended up with an average 490 in India He was 26 then. Made 253*, 114, 123* in 3 innings.

I will give you another example Graeme Smith scored two 250+ scores(259,277) in England at the age of 22 and he was captaining the side as well.

 

[ind_win]

Kohli should take this seriously to work hard and improve his stats in Tests also. Once he does that all these mish-mash talk will look more silly than what it is right now.

 

[Bullet Drive]

Na

Kohli is WAY WAY better.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I will give you another example Graeme Smith scored two 250+ scores(259,277) in England at the age of 22 and he was captaining the side as well.

I sense there is a very low threshold for batting supremacy these days. Not like Pakistani batsmen didn't put out numbers like this. Moyo went nuts in one year scoring 6 centuries and 1 fifty in 8 innings 3 of them are daddy 100s. Inspite of all that he was just considered as a batsman going through good patch rather than comparing him with Tendulkar, Punter or even Dravid, Kallis.

 

[andy0204]

I sense there is a very low threshold for batting supremacy these days. Not like Pakistani batsmen didn't put out numbers like this. Moyo went nuts in one year scoring 6 centuries and 1 fifty in 8 innings 3 of them are daddy 100s. Inspite of all that he was just considered as a batsman going through good patch rather than comparing him with Tendulkar, Punter or even Dravid, Kallis.

You know why Steve Smith has that average despite not having Daddy hundreds because not just he scores runs but when he is in worst form he will grind to make 60s or 70s which Kohli,Williamson,Root cant do.
Take a look at recent Newzealand tour he struggled against Wagner but ended up scoring couple of 50's.

 

[troodon]

Babar can become the next Kohli in about 3-4 years time.

 

[IAJ]

Just another statement from an out of touch old man. Take it with a pinch of salt. Babar is on his way to greatness but it’s a long journey to the ‘league’ . He had the potential to be the best but it’d be a folly to put too much pressure of expectations on him. He has the burden to carry entire pak batting right now and no one even close to him in quality. let him be.

Yes, a bit like Sachin.

 

[jnaveen1980]

You know why Steve Smith has that average despite not having Daddy hundreds because not just he scores runs but when he is in worst form he will grind to make 60s or 70s which Kohli,Williamson,Root cant do.
Take a look at recent Newzealand tour he struggled against Wagner but ended up scoring couple of 50's.

yes he is the DHoni of Tests. He can grind out and is prepared to make ugly runs. Kohli will stick to his stroke play no matter what even though it is fraught with risks. Smith is a better survivor that is why his numbers are good. But the day his loses even a bit of reflex will be a big time lbw candidate.

 

[Sir-fraz]

Not there yet. Babar doesnt have that MAMBA mentality exhibited by kholi. Hes not a killer and its obvious.

Once he develops that killer instinct he will go to another level.

And thats a BIG IF

 

[andy0204]

Yes, a bit like Sachin.

Tendulkar atleast had Azharuddin and Dravid after mid 1990's and they were lot better than Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq.

 

[IAJ]

Babar is not in the same league as Kohli. Both are good when it comes to text book shots, but where Kohli is different is when bowlers stop those hit me balls and start variations. Kohli has more shots than Babar and more powerful also. They just can’t be on same level st the moment. Things can change in the future though.

 

[Usman Chadda]

He has to get into Labu's league first. big scores like 150, 200. 70s occasional 100s won't make him stand out. Amla at his peak ended up with an average 490 in India He was 26 then. Made 253*, 114, 123* in 3 innings.

Agreed. Babar needs some big scores to become elite level.

 

[iPakistani]

The justification that Pakistan has declined because of not playing at home for so long will blow up in due time.

It is just an excuse. Our decline started a good 10 years before we stopped playing at home.

Pakistan’s days as a major cricket force are over. We cannot keep up with other sides when it comes to professionalism, discipline and understanding of the game.

Our cricket culture is rotten to the core, and the lack of cricket IQ is evident among the players, the fans as well as the recently retired ex-players and analysts.

Spot on, POTW for me!

We are rotten to the core and are a terrible board and a cricket team. India is much better than us and we should look up to them and try be like them, even though we can only dream of becoming like them since they are the best.

 

[Khan12]

Spot on, POTW for me!

We are rotten to the core and are a terrible board and a cricket team. India is much better than us and we should look up to them and try be like them, even though we can only dream of becoming like them since they are the best.

Lol. He repeats this 100 times daily. Nothing new. His daily routine is to criticize Pakistan and worship India.

 

[happydavy]

I will give you another example Graeme Smith scored two 250+ scores(259,277) in England at the age of 22 and he was captaining the side as well.

Off topic but Graeme Smith is an absolute legend and a way more accomplished test match winner than Tkar, Lara and Pointing. He wasn't flamboyant but the number of difficult matches he won for SA is no joke. I am not saying he was a better batsman (technique, versatility, entertainment factor was less) but a more accomplished match winner.

 

[light]

In the same league ... maybe in a different universe. Babar is a fine player, comparing him to Virat and stating that they are in the same league is a JOKE!

 

[Hyperion66]

Same way Shane Warne and Yasir Shah in same league lol.

 

[Mobashir]

Could it be because Kohli is the best batsman by a long shot when all 3 formats are combined?

Is Guptill a better batsman than Pujara?

 

[Raja111]

More like in KL Rahul's league not Kohli's!
Needs to average 55+ in all three formats for a decade to be in the same league as kohli.

 

[Hitman]

Is Guptill a better batsman than Pujara?

No, because he averages less than 30 in Tests. Kohli however is an elite Test batsman, among the top 3 ODI batsman ever, and is a mighty fine T20 player. The man is 1 short of becoming the joint second highest century maker in international cricket.

 

[Hitman]

While Kohli has 70 international centuries, Smith has 35 international centuries. Kohli has 35 more international centuries. Therein lies the difference.

 

[Arya]

If that league had 20 sub-divisions, then maybe.

 

[Belawal2014]

Kohli is on a different planet compared to everyone else.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Babar needs to show us that he can chase 300+ targets ,kohli has done it many times.
When babar starts winning matches on his own just like kohli ,that will be the time to put him in the same league as kohli.As of now i dont remember any thing except that 100 vs nz that can be hailed as a proper match winning innings.All other centuries are either impactless tuk tuk century in loss or against weak opposition .

 

[Mobashir]

Babar needs to show us that he can chase 300+ targets ,kohli has done it many times.
When babar starts winning matches on his own just like kohli ,that will be the time to put him in the same league as kohli.As of now i dont remember any thing except that 100 vs nz that can be hailed as a proper match winning innings.All other centuries are either impactless tuk tuk century in loss or against weak opposition .

Will never stop asking of this list of matches Kohli has won on his own. Especially those 300 chases he chased on his own.
Thanks in advance.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Will never stop asking of this list of matches Kohli has won on his own. Especially those 300 chases he chased on his own.
Thanks in advance.

OK.Weekend hai so i"ll post atleast 10
1.290 CHASE vs aus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_international_cricket_centuries_by_Virat_Kohli#cite_note-54
2.105 vs nz.Won the match on his own
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...di-new-zealand-tour-of-india-nov-2010-2010-11
3.133(86) vs srilanka chased 330 in 36 overs.
4.183 vs pakistan asia cup 2012.
5.Yet another one man effort
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...-4th-match-west-indies-tri-nation-series-2013
NOW SOME 300+ CHASES
6.chased 352 with a 50 ball hundred vs aus,
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...-4th-match-west-indies-tri-nation-series-2013
7.chased 350 again next match this time with a 58 ball hundred vs aus.
8.single handedly chased 280 vs srl
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...lanka-5th-odi-sri-lanka-tour-of-india-2014-15
9.140 vs SA.
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...ca-4th-odi-south-africa-tour-of-india-2015-16
10.122 runs in 350 CHASE vs eng in 2017.
11.130 of 96 vs SA in 2018 tour,singlehandedly won us the match.
12.another 320+ chase
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...t-indies-1st-odi-west-indies-in-india-2018-19
13.299 chase vs aus
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...stralia-vs-india-2nd-odi-india-in-aus-2018-19
14.Singlehandedly took us to a defendable score and we won
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...india-vs-australia-2nd-odi-aus-in-ind-2018-19

To be rated at the same level as kohli babar should atleast have 7-8 such performances,sadly as of now theres nothing to show except that 100 vs nz.

 

[Mesozoic]

Will never stop asking of this list of matches Kohli has won on his own. Especially those 300 chases he chased on his own.
Thanks in advance.

It's impossible to chase a 300+ total alone. Ofcourse you'll need support from atleast one other batter.

183 against Pak in the 2012 Asia cup
130 odd against Sri Lanka in Hobart
Pune knock against England. (2017)
Nagpur knock against Australia (2013)

Last two while chasing 350+. I'm pretty sure I'm missing atleast a couple of other instances where he played a key role in a big run chase.

Babar as of now just doesn't have the ability to replicate that.

 

[Hasan123]

No wonder our cricket is on the decline and stinks of mediocrity when our former players say stuff like this.

 

[Saj]

Babar doesn't worry about the comparisons, it seems only some of the media does.

 

[kingusama92]

Pakistani former players always say embarrassing stuff.

Babar is a class player and it should be left at that. Let him write his own story.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

They definitely are. Regarding "pressure" on Babar, if he can't handle the praise and hype then he won't be the best. Every great batsman can put it aside and still perform.

 

[DRsohail]

What a rubbish comparison.