Dinesh Karthik had said that Babar was 100% capable of achieving summit position in all 3 formats.
Dinesh Karthik, the India wicketkeeper, had made a major comment about Pakistan captain Babar Azam a few days ago, claiming that the Pakistan skipper could easily become the No. 1 batter in all three formats of international cricket.
Karthik, who was just recalled by India following a stellar season with Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2022, believes Babar could easily turn the 'Fab 4' - Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith - into a 'Fab 5' given his performance.
And, if the Pakistan skipper can maintain his consistency in the future, he could well be the finest in the world.
Karthik said on The ICC Review: "One-hundred percent (Babar is capable of achieving that). He is a high-quality player who is at the peak of his batting prowess and he has got some Test matches coming up. He has been phenomenal in all three formats of the game and he has done well in different batting positions too. I wish him all the best and think he has the potential. He has got all the following of Pakistan helping him in abundance to go on and do special things for his country."
Now Babar Azam reacted to Karthik's remarks and highlighted the factors that go into becoming No. 1.
A reporter had asked Babar during a presser: "Cricketers worldwide are in awe of your batting, and Dinesh Karthik has even said that you can become No. 1. Do you think you can get there, and if yes, what are you doing to achieve it?"
In response, Babar, during a press conference, said: "Definitely, as a player, it's a dream to become the No. 1 in all formats and for that, you have to focus and put in hard work. It's not like if you are the top player in 1 or 2 formats, you go easy. If you are to become No.1 in all three, you have to keep yourself fit and on track. There is back-to-back cricket and the gap is less. For that, you need to be extra fit. It's something I am preparing for. It's going well in white-ball and hopefully, I will be able to do well in Tests too."
With 891 and 818 points in ODIs and T20Is, respectively, Babar is the top batter, followed by Virat Kohli at No. 2. (ODIs). Babar is placed fifth in Tests, behind Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root.
(Hindustan Times inputs)