During a recent podcast interview, England’s experienced leg-spinner Adil Rashid ignited controversy among cricket enthusiasts by preferring Pakistan’s leading batter Babar Azam over India’s Virat Kohli—but for a particular classy shot: the cover drive.
The Podcast Moment: Rashid Prefers Babar’s Class
When asked, during the show hosted by a leading cricket podcast, along with his long-time teammate Moeen Ali, a stylish but tricky question was asked:
“Who is the better cover driver—Virat Kohli or Babar Azam?”
Moeen Ali winkingly sidestepped the question and passed it to Rashid with a grin. Rashid, after a moment’s hesitation, replied with quiet confidence:
“If we are discussing purely the cover drive, then I’d say Babar Azam.”
He went on to say that while he respected Virat Kohli’s all-around batting, Babar’s cover drive stands out for its impeccable timing, precision, and elegance.
Moeen Ali, Also a Babar Fan
Moeen Ali joined the discussion with a smile, casually admitting that he’s also an admirer of Babar Azam’s batting brilliance. The exchange brought laughter and accentuated the appreciation cricketers have for each other across borders.
Curiously enough, it isn’t the first time Adil Rashid has taken Babar’s side against Kohli. In an earlier interview, when asked to compare the two current greats, Rashid had said:
It’s a difficult decision, but based on form, I would go with Babar.”
Babar Azam’s Recent Form Under Scrutiny
Even though Rashid appreciated Babar’s cover drive, it should be pointed out that Babar Azam’s T20 international form has dipped over the last year. He has not played any T20I games since December 2023. He was absent for the March 2025 home series versus New Zealand and was also not included in the team for the three-match T20 series against Bangladesh in May 2025.
As per team sources, Babar is not in Pakistan’s near-future T20 plans, essentially because he is not in form and match-fit.
Babar’s T20I Career in Numbers
As much as he has been absent lately, Babar Azam’s statistics in his T20 international career are impressive nonetheless:
Matches: 128
Total Runs: 4,223
Average: 39.83
Centuries: 3
Half-centuries: 36
Highest recent score: 75 vs Ireland (May 2023)
His last T20I fifty was two years ago, and ever since, fans have been waiting for a grand return.
Final Thoughts: Style vs. Stats?
Adil Rashid’s remarks have breathed fresh life into the age-old Babar vs. Kohli debate—this time from a stylistic angle. While the consistency and legacy of Virat Kohli remain unparalleled in contemporary cricket, Babar’s technical finesse continues to earn appreciation, even from international competitors.
While cricket fans await Babar Azam’s return to the top, one thing is certain: when it comes to the Cover Drive art form, Babar still remains in many hearts, including Adil Rashid’s.
