"This too shall pass, stay strong" - When Babar Azam posted a message of solidarity for Virat Kohli amid his lean patch
Senior Pakistan batter Babar Azam is currently going through an extremely lean patch with the willow. He has even been left out of the team for the second Test against England, which is currently underway in Multan. Incidentally, back in July 2022, Babar had posted a message in support of seasoned batter Virat Kohli when he was going through an extremely rough phase.
The Indian cricketer had not scored a single century in international cricket since November 2019 and there were even calls for him to be dropped from the team. Kohli was enduring a torrid tour of England in 2022. After he was dismissed cheaply in the second ODI at Lord's, Babar took to his X handle and posted a message in support of Kohli. He wrote:
"This too shall pass, stay strong."
Replying to Babar over his heartwarming gesture, the Indian superstar wrote:
"Thank you. Keep shining and rising. Wish you all the best."
Later, in February 2023, Babar opened up on his gesture for Kohli which not only went viral but also won a lot of hearts. Speaking to ICC Digital, he explained:
"As a sportsperson, anyone can go through such a time. At that time, I thought maybe if I tweet it might give someone help and confidence. See, as a player, you try to back every sportsman in a difficult time. It is in difficult times when you get to know what you are thinking about others.
"At that time, I thought I should have done that and maybe something positive will come out of it. Something which can be a plus point."
Since the start of 2023, Babar has played nine Test matches in which he has scored 352 runs at a poor average of 20.70, with a best of 41.
Babar and Kohli's records in international cricket
Babar has featured in 55 Test matches so far, scoring 3,997 runs at an average of 43.92, with nine hundreds and 26 half-centuries. Looking at his one-day numbers, the Pakistan batter has scored 5,729 runs in 117 matches at an average of 56.72, with 19 tons and 32 fifties.
In 123 T20Is, Babar has 4,145 runs to his name at an average of 41.03 and a strike rate of 129.08, with three hundreds and 36 fifties.
Looking at Kohli's stats, he has scored 8,947 runs in 115 Tests, averaging 48.89, with 29 centuries and 30 fifties. In ODIs, the former India captain has amassed 13,906 runs in 295 games at an average of 58.18, with 50 tons and 72 fifties.
He ended his T20I career with 4,188 runs in 125 games at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04, with one hundred and 38 fifties.