Cricket, a high-stakes battleground where emotions run high, has the power to ignite rivalries and passions unlike any other sport. The stage was set during the ICC Cricket World Cup when arch-rivals India and Pakistan locked horns at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14. This clash etched an indelible mark on the cricketing world, and one voice that resonated prominently in the midst of this spectacle was former Indian batting maestro, Gautam Gambhir.
As the world tuned in to witness this high-octane showdown, all eyes were on Babar Azam, Pakistan’s young cricketing sensation. However, Gambhir, known for his astute cricketing acumen, quickly noticed something amiss in Azam’s mentality during the match. The former Indian opener, never one to shy away from expressing his views, had a lot to say.
Gambhir’s critique extended beyond just Azam’s nervousness. He didn’t hold back in criticizing the 29-year-old batter’s approach during his partnership with wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan. Notably, Azam and Rizwan emerged as Pakistan’s top scorers in the match, amassing 50 and 49 runs, respectively. However, Gambhir remained unimpressed.
Gautam Gambhir Calls Babar Azam Selfish After His Timid Knock Against India
He emphasized that in a partnership, both batters cannot tread the same cautious path. Gambhir believed that one of them should have taken the initiative to seize the moment. “Babar Azam has been extremely timid. Two batters cannot bat the same way in a partnership, one of them has to take chances. If you are playing for a fifty or your runs, you will get such results,” Gambhir said during a discussion on Star Sports.
Gambhir’s insights delved deeper into the heart of the matter, highlighting a shift in Pakistan’s batting approach, particularly in the top order. While Azam had been consistent in scoring runs for himself, Gambhir pointed out that Pakistan’s historical approach had been different. They were known for their aggressive batting at the start, with players like Shahid Afridi, Imran Nazir, and Taufeeq Umar setting the tone. However, in the top three, Gambhir observed a stark departure from this tradition.
“Babar Azam has scored a lot of runs for himself but it’s been Pakistan’s history that they have liked to bat aggressively at the start, whether it was Shahid Afridi, Imran Nazir or Taufeeq Umar, and they consolidate in the middle. However, here in the top three, there isn’t a single batter who can take on the opposition attack,” he added.
The Men in Green had always been known for their fearless approach, especially at the beginning of their innings. However, facing a top-quality Indian attack, they appeared to have adopted a more cautious strategy, and Gambhir believed that this was a missed opportunity.
“When you play against a top-quality attack, at times you discuss in the dressing room that you will play freely even if you get out for 150, you will not play timidly. If the top three get out early, then the No. 4 and No. 5 would consolidate,” he said.
