Former Indian cricketer, Gautam Gambhir, emphasized the need for a shift in Babar Azam’s approach as Pakistan team’s captain. 

While speaking on a local sports platform, Gambhir expressed his views on the 29-year-old’s playing style, mindset, and role as a leader in upcoming World Cup matches.

“I feel Babar will have to change his personality, his game and, importantly, his mindset. Pakistan have had a history of attacking batters – Shahid Afridi, Imran Nazir, Saeed Anwar, Aamer Sohail. In the present top three, everyone bats in similar mode. If someone has to take responsibility, it has to be their captain, who bats at No. 3,” Gambhir said.

The former opening batter stressed that the team’s playing style often mirrors the captain’s approach and highlighted the significance of Babar’s responsibility in leading the team effectively. 

Drawing a comparison with the recent performance of both Babar Azam and Rohit Sharma, the 42-year-old pointed out the difference in their approaches during a match.

“The team plays how the captain plays. Both Babar Azam and Rohit Sharma scored fifties. One scored a 50, other scored an 80. None of them scored a hundred, but it was the approach that was the difference. If Pakistan were chasing 190, their mindset would have been just to win the game, whether they get there in 35 or 40 overs. It is important for the captain to take responsibility. If the captain is defensive, the team will be defensive. You can’t tell the 10 other players in the room that, ‘you play positive, I will play [anchor] from one end’,” he concluded.