Ever since Virat Kohli has been looking out of form, there have been several varied opinions coming from the cricket fraternity. It has been over 2 years now that Virat’s 71st International century is still awaited. Recently, in IPL Virat Kohli has registered 3 ducks, this is the first time Virat has 3 ducks in a single tournament. Some believe that Virat’s career will continue to go downhill from here forth. Whereas there’s a belief of Virat coming back to form. Among these varied opinions, former Pakistan cricketer Aaqib Javed made a controversial statement. Is of the opinion that Babar Azam is ahead of Kohli. Moreover, he drew comparisons between Indian and Pakistan speedsters Shaheen Afridi and Jaspreet Bumrah.
Aaqib Javed gives a controversial statement
Babar Azam is better than Kohli
The Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam debate has been running long. Former Pakistan pacer Javed had something to say about it. He believes that Azam is ahead of Kohli and is only going to go upwards. While Virat Kohli is going downwards in his career having experienced his peak.
“Now I think Babar is ahead. He [Kohli] had his peak but now going down. But Babar, on the other hand, is going up.“
Aaqib Javed
Shaheen has more capacity than Bumrah
Both Bumrah and Afridi have been phenomenal in red-ball cricket and are ranked among the top 5. The speedsters are currently playing in IPL and County Championship respectively.
“I now think that Shaheen is better than Bumrah because when Shaheen came into the international circuit Bumrah had already established himself and the critics used to say that Bumrah is doing well in Tests, T20Is, and so but now Shaheen has proved he is even better and has more capacity than Bumrah.“
Rizwan takes the responsibility unlike Rishabh Pant
The final comparison Javed drew was between wicket-keeper-batters Mohammad Rizwan and Rishabh Pant. Rishabh Pant is known for his power-hitting abilities. Javed hails Rizwan for his ability to anchor the innings, rather than paying short but effective aggressive innings like Pant.
“Rizwan is better than Pant these days. There is no doubt that Pant is an extremely skillful player but the way Rizwan takes the responsibility, Pant is well behind him. It is often said that Pant is an aggressive player, but the aggressiveness doesn’t mean to hit a couple of big shots and got out but to stay at the crease, fight, and finish the game.”
