Not Virat Kohli! Viv Richards Declares Babar Azam as the Real King of Cricket
Viv Richards calls Babar Azam the real king of cricket and backs him to make a strong comeback.
West Indies legend Sir Viv Richards has thrown his weight behind Pakistan captain Babar Azam amid his ongoing form struggles in the PSL 2025. In a strong statement of support, Richards even placed Babar alongside Indian superstar Virat Kohli, calling both of them the true kings of modern cricket.
Speaking to a Pakistani journalist, Richards said:
“A king is someone who rules over all. When you look at players like Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, you see them doing justice to the game of cricket. I hope both of them, along with other young players, continue to play in the same spirit.”
Viv Richards, who once dominated world cricket with his fearless batting, praised the class and commitment of both Kohli and Babar. He admired how the two batters have carried the weight of expectations while maintaining grace and hunger for excellence.
According to the West Indies great, the true spirit of cricket is not just about scoring runs or breaking records, but about playing the game with heart, honor, and hunger. In his eyes, both Kohli and Babar have embodied those qualities beautifully.
While Kohli continues to shine in the IPL 2025, scoring 322 runs in 8 matches with four half-centuries, Babar Azam is struggling in the ongoing Pakistan Super League. The Peshawar Zalmi skipper has managed only 0, 1, 2, and 46 in his four outings so far. His team too has been under pressure, with only one win in four matches, placing them at the bottom half of the table.
Despite the poor run, Richards believes that dips in form are normal.
He said, “No matter how good a batter you are, everyone has to face a dip in form. This is not the first time Babar Azam has encountered such a situation. He is a very fine player, and I’m confident he will regain his form soon.”
Earlier, Babar had received praise for his calm captaincy and elegant batting, but his current form has sparked concern among fans and experts alike. However, support from someone of Viv Richards’ stature is likely to boost the morale of the Pakistani captain.
Meanwhile, Kohli will return to action on Thursday, April 24, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Rajasthan Royals at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. RCB is currently sitting in fourth position, with five wins from eight matches.
