New Delhi

India veteran bowler Ravi Ashwin has ended the Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam debate once and for all. Ashwin said that while Babar is a class player, he isn't anywhere close to Virat, and the two names should not be taken in one sentence.

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"Definitely, if he is given a chance, he will score runs. If there is class, I believe we should end this debate once and for all. First of all, across the border, Babar Azam and Virat Kohli shouldn't be mentioned in the same statement," Ashwin said while talking on his YouTube channel.

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"I am really sorry, I rate Babar Azam. He is an outstanding player, but Virat Kohli's credentials are something else. Across terrains, across times, across pressure situations, the kind of heists he has done, no one has come close to doing so in the world of cricket. As far as I know, at this point, if any one comes close, it is Joe Root in Test cricket,” he added.

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Babar's name is doing rounds in social media for the lack of form he has been going through for quite some time now. He was also 'rested' from Pakistan's squad for the remaining two Tests against England in the ongoing series.

Babar last played a significant innings in December 2022, scoring 161 against New Zealand in Karachi. Since then, the former skipper has gone half century-less in 18 Test innings with a highest score of 41 against Australia in Melbourne earlier this year.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to rest Babar after an innings and 47 runs loss in the first Test against England despite scoring 556 runs in the first innings.

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Kamran Ghulam, who replaced Babar in the second Test, which started Tuesday (Oct 15), scored a hundred on his debut - becoming only the 13th Pakistan player to do so.