Former Indian opening batter Gautam Gambhir expressed his belief that Babar Azam is destined to become Pakistan’s greatest batter by the time he concludes his career.
Gambhir’s remarks follow Babar Azam’s decision to step down from captaincy in all three formats of the game after Pakistan’s underwhelming ODI World Cup campaign in India.
Gambhir, acknowledging the pressures associated with captaincy, emphasized that with the leadership responsibilities lifted, fans might witness the best of Babar Azam as he focuses solely on his batting expertise.
The former Indian cricketer acclaimed Babar Azam as a top-quality batter and noted the individual choice players make regarding captaincy.
Shan Masood has assumed the role of Test skipper, while Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the white-ball sides in the wake of Babar’s decision to turn down captaincy.
Speaking on the dynamics of captaincy in Pakistan, Gambhir observed that in the cricketing landscape of the country, both blame and praise often disproportionately fall on the captain.
He drew parallels with India but noted that the intensity is not as pronounced.
Gambhir speculated that Babar Azam, now relieved of captaincy, could reach new heights as a batter. He expressed the view that Babar has the potential to elevate his game and eventually secure the title of Pakistan’s greatest batter when he eventually retires.
As cricket enthusiasts await Babar’s post-captaincy performances, Gambhir’s optimistic prediction adds anticipation to the next chapter of the productive batter’s career.
