India great offers help to Babar Azam amid criticism from Pakistan legends
Published - 26 Feb 2025, 06:11 PM | Updated - 26 Feb 2025, 06:12 PM
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Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam is currently going through the toughest phase of his career, as he is struggling for form across all formats. With his performances continuing to drop, criticism has mounted, especially after Pakistan’s early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
However, amidst the heavy criticism from the fans and former cricketers, Babar Azam has found support from Sunil Gavaskar. The legendary Indian batter came forward to suggest a crucial piece of advice to help Babar regain his touch with the bat.
Sunil Gavaskar offers crucial advice to struggling Babar Azam
The former Pakistan skipper’s struggles have been evident, with his last ODI century coming 23 innings ago against Nepal in August 2023. In Tests, he has crossed 50 only twice in his last 26 innings, and his last impactful T20I knock was in May 2024 against Ireland.
Recently, Babar played one of the worst ODI innings—64 runs off 90 balls against New Zealand—and he could manage only 23 runs against India, and his team lost both group games by six wickets, leading Pakistan’s early exit from the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Read Also: Not Babar Azam! Fakhar Zaman set to retire after ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Sunil Gavaskar suggests Babar to make small stance change for big impact
Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar suggested that Babar should adjust his batting stance. He pointed out that the right-hander’s wide stance is restricting his movement at the crease, making it harder for him to judge the bounce of the ball. So, the Indian legend believes that Babar should reduce his wide stance for better movement and shot control to find his rhythm again.
Sunil Gavaskar said on Basit Ali’s YouTube channel, “If you ask me about technique, I'll just say one thing to Babar Azam. Currently, his stance is wide. If he reduces the width between his legs (while standing at the crease), then he will get two advantages: he won't be uncomfortable moving front or back. Secondly, when you close the gap, your height increases.
You have a better understanding of the bounce, you are more upright, and you can tackle the ball better. If he tries to do that, the run-making ability that he had will come back. If he does that, it will not only provide joy to the people of Pakistan but also the entire world.”
Sunil Gavaskar is a fan of Babar Azam's cover drive!!
The former Indian captain also said that he has always admired the right-hander’s cover drive, which he believes is enjoyed by cricket fans across the world.
Gavaskar signed off by saying, “He gives a lot of joy with his cover drive. Even against India, look at the flick shot he hit for a boundary through mid-wicket, what a shot that was. The entire world wants to watch such shots.”
Notably, Babar will have the final chance to silence his critics in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 when Pakistan will host Bangladesh in their final group match on Thursday (February 27) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.
