India have edge over Pakistan in battle for top ranking: Azhar

Dubai - Former India captain praises Kohli

The students of Kricket's Spero Academy gave such a rousing welcome to Mohammad Azharuddin at their anniversary celebrations that the former India captain was overwhelmed with emotions on Friday.
"Thank you everyone. You really made me feel great. It was as if I was going to bat for India again," said the man whose record of three Test centuries in his first three Tests has yet to be broken.

But Azhar believes records are indeed meant to be broken. And the stylish Hyderabadi batsman refused to duck when this reporter asked him if India's current batting superstar Virat Kohli has what it takes to break the ODI records of the incomparable Sachin Tendulkar.
"They are two very different players. You can't compare eras and Sachin, you know, was phenomenal. But the way Virat has been playing, especially in one-day cricket, you never know," Azhar said.
"Yes, I always believe that records are meant to be broken. Nobody thought that (Don) Bradman's record of 29 centuries would be broken. But (Sunil) Gavaskar did just that.
"But I don't think we should put pressure on Virat. He is doing a magnificent job. He is obviously such a talented player.
"In fact, I have been really impressed with him as captain as well in Test cricket. He is very positive. He wants to attack and he wants to win matches for India. That's a very positive sign."
Azhar also believes that India have the edge over their bitter rivals Pakistan in the battle for the top Test ranking.
India's 3-0 win over the Kiwis under Kohli at home has made sure they would remain on top even if Pakistan win all three Test matches against the West Indies in the UAE.
"It's a nice battle at the top between India and Pakistan. I am very happy that India are the number one now. I think they will remain there for some time because they will play nine Test matches in the next few months at home. And that's the advantage India over Pakistan in my opinion," Azhar said.
Remarkably, it was Azhar who helped Pakistan's star batsman Younis Khan overcome his hopelessly poor batting form in their Test series in England few months back.
Younis was having a nightmarish tour with the bat until he regained his confidence in spectacular style to play an epic 218 that helped Pakistan register a series-leveling victory in the fourth Test. And it was at the presentation ceremony that Younis thanked Azhar for helping him in his darkest hour.
"He was really struggling in that series. It looked as if he had lost faith in his own ability," Azhar said.
"He was doing things that were not natural. And while trying to do things that were not natural, he was looking ugly. So I called him and told him to stick to his basics. So it was nice of him to say that at the presentation ceremony but I didn't want any acknowledgement.
"I mean these things can happen even to the best of the players. I was struggling as well when we toured Pakistan in 1989. And it was the great Zaheer Abbas who helped me with a few tips. I got a hundred in the next Test and never looked back. That's how you learn, you know!"