The stage is set for another episode of this much-cherished rivalry as India and Pakistan square off against each other this week to kickstart their campaigns in the Asia Cup. While the presence of Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Shah Afridi – premier bowlers for their respective nations – will be sorely missed, there are still numerous matchups to watch out for. Chief among them is the rivalry between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam.

For Babar, the tournament will be an opportunity to strengthen his credentials as the world’s best batter in the format. Kohli, meanwhile, will be looking to get back in form, ahead of the T20I World Cup in Australia. Both players rarely come face to face with each other, but their career has always seemed entwined. Every time Babar tumbles some batting records or fails to step up, he is instantly compared to Kohli.

But looking at their on-filed camaraderie, it’s safe to assume that they don’t share a similar level of antagonism towards each other as their fans. A few weeks ago, Babar offered words of encouragement to the Indian batter, saying, “This too shall pass. Stay strong. #ViratKohli.” Kohli too replied with an uplifting message that read, “Thank you. Keep shining and rising. Wish you all the best.”

On Wednesday evening when the Indian contingent reached the ICC Cricket Academy for the training session, Kohli reached out to Babar and exchanged pleasantries before going back to the nets.

The video, shared by the BCCI, has gone viral, as the fans can’t get enough of the bromance between two of the best batters in the world.

Later on, Kohli took guard in the net, and clobbered the spinners all around the ground. The Indian team desperately need their most experienced batter in form ahead of the marquee events. He is likely to bat at his favourite no. 3 position, with KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma opening the innings. Kohli, however, is upbeat about regaining his rhythm in the Asia Cup.

Lead Image: Babar Azam/Twitter