Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli are considered as benchmark of batting. Hence, when a new star rises, he often gets compared to the two batting legends by the fans and cricket experts alike.

However, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar feels it is unfair to Tendulkar and Kohli as longevity is what separates them from the rest.

In recent times, Babar Azam has done well across formats and is often compared to Kohli. The Pakistan skipper is currently occupying a numero uno position in ICC ODI Rankings, third in T20I and fourth in Test cricket.

“Absolutely, and we can expect that to happen again. Just one thing that you know people like Tendulkar and Virat Kohli have had to deal with that they’ve had long careers and they sort of have spanned over 10-15 years and anytime there’s been a rising star, he’s been compared to a guy who’s been in the race for a long time. So sometimes it can be a little unfair but the greatness of these two guys is that they maintain that standard that the best performance of a rising player is equated with it,” Manjrekar said on Star Sports.

Sharing his thoughts on Kohli versus Babar comparison, Manjrekar suggested that the two players will be raring to go in the forthcoming Asia Cup. While Kohli had done that in the past, the onus will be on Babar to lead his team from the front.

“Yes, both very good players. One obviously in his prime younger but coming to these kind of platform we want to say Virat Kohli and see with the format that we have here not the T20 format, Asia Cup this time round you might just see a bit Babar Azam and maybe show his place as well,” Manjrekar opined.