Virat Kohli’s Standard Too High? Babar Azam Faces Reality Check From Dinesh Karthik

Babar Azam’s early dismissal against India reignited comparisons with Virat Kohli, with Dinesh Karthik questioning his temperament under pressure.

Pakistan continued to face criticism following their 61-run loss to India in the T20 World Cup at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Former captain and star batter Babar Azam came under sharp focus for failing to guide the team during a difficult chase.

Chasing 176, Pakistan lost three wickets in the first two overs and slipped to 13/3. Babar and Usman Khan tried to rebuild the innings, taking the score to 34/4. However, in an attempt to counterattack, Babar played a wild slog off Axar Patel and was bowled for just five runs.

The dismissal triggered strong reactions on social media. Many fans recalled India’s famous win over Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne, where Virat Kohli played a match-winning knock. Kohli had lifted India from 31/4 to a thrilling last-ball four-wicket victory while chasing 160, scoring an unbeaten 82 off 53 balls.

Babar Azam and Virat Kohli Comparison ‘Unfair’

Babar has often been compared to Kohli, but former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik said such comparisons are unfair.

“For a long time now, there has been a comparison which I find unfair, but let me use that now. Virat Kohli and Babar Azam. I cannot imagine Virat Kohli playing that shot that early in the innings. That is submission,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz.

“It is not having belief in what it takes to win or how to take your team closer to victory. That wild slog from Babar Azam showed he wanted to keep up with the run rate, and that is not what he does normally,” he added.

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Karthik also praised India’s rising batting star Abhishek Sharma, calling him the best T20I batter in the world at present.

“That absorption of pressure is what makes greatness. Every game cannot be easy, where you just come and play a few shots. When I look at Babar Azam, I feel that conviction and belief weren’t there. He’s nowhere close to being the best in the world, I think Abhishek Sharma is the best in the world currently,” Karthik said.