Champions Trophy 2025: Not Virat Kohli Or Babar Azam! Ex Pakistan Cricketer Hails Rohit Sharma As Best In The World

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Abdur Rauf Khan has weighed in on the long-standing debate surrounding the best batters in modern-day cricket. While comparisons between India's Virat Kohli and Pakistan's Babar Azam have often sparked discussions among fans, Khan believes that India's captain, Rohit Sharma, stands above both.

Sharing his thoughts in an interview with Times of India, Rauf acknowledged Kohli's exceptional class and consistency but stated that Rohit is currently the finest batter in world cricket.

"Both are great players, but in my opinion, Virat Kohli has no comparison. His class, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure set him apart. Babar Azam, when in form, is exceptional. But personally, my favourite batsman [batter] is Rohit Sharma. I believe Rohit is currently the best batsman [batter] in world cricket. He is way better than Virat and Babar," said Rauf.

Rohit's Resurgence in Form

Rohit Sharma has faced a rough patch in recent months, struggling to score runs since September 2024. During India's extended Test season, he could only manage 164 runs in eight matches, averaging a mere 10.93 with just one fifty. However, he recently bounced back in style during the ODI series against England, smashing a brilliant 119 off 90 balls in the second game, which included 12 boundaries and seven sixes.

India vs Pakistan: A Clash of Titans

With the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan encounter in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 set to take place on February 23 in Dubai, Rauf also shared his thoughts on the high-stakes battle.

"You can never predict the outcome of an India vs Pakistan match. It's always a high-pressure game, and it's not just India and Pakistan-fans from all over the world are invested in this contest. Both teams are strong, so making a prediction is difficult," he said.

India Without Bumrah: A Key Factor?

Rauf also pointed out the significant impact Jasprit Bumrah's absence could have on India's chances.

"A month ago, if you had asked me, I would have confidently said that India had the upper hand with Bumrah in the squad. But now, with his absence, it's much harder to call. He was instrumental in India's victories in the last Asia Cup and World Cup. At this moment, I believe the teams are evenly matched," he added.

Head-to-Head in Champions Trophy and ODIs

Historically, Pakistan has an edge over India in Champions Trophy encounters, winning three out of their five meetings. However, India has dominated recent ODI matchups, securing victories in five of their last six completed games against their arch-rivals.

With both teams aiming for supremacy, the upcoming clash is expected to be another thrilling contest where neither side will want to concede an inch. Fans worldwide will be eagerly watching as cricket's fiercest rivalry takes center stage once again.