“Babar Azam needs to get mentally strong and make a comeback": Virender Sehwag

[BouncerGuy]

Virender Sehwag speaking during an interview with Shoaib Akhtar:

“When a batter struggles, their mindset can suffer, affecting their performance. This might be what's happening with Babar Azam. When you’re the captain of a team and then you step down, and the expectations people had from you start to fade, it can really mess with your head”

“Babar Azam needs to get mentally strong and make a comeback. Good players usually bounce back quickly, and I’m hopeful that Babar Azam will return to the Pakistan team and perform well. Sometimes, it's necessary to bench a big player for a match or a series. But when they return, they often come back better.”

“It's not just about making runs; there are mental challenges too. For Babar Azam, this is a good wake-up call. Playing domestic cricket can help him make a comeback. My advice for him would be to take a little break from cricket for now. Focus on getting your mind right because, in international cricket, mental toughness and strong willpower lead to success. He should step back a bit, work on his fitness, spend time with family, and when he returns, practice hard. I believe this approach will help him.”

 

[adi_62941]

He will never be the same babar again. He has lost all confidence and temperament for unknown reasons.
by pakistan standard he is alright and will be a good batsmen. But he was never a world class batmen and never will be because of his weak mental strength.

 

[FearlessRoar]

His comment on Babar Azam was likely a courtesy to Shoaib Akhtar, rather than genuine interest

 

[Bewal Express]

He needs lots of self critical analysis and although getting back to his best will be difficult, it can be done.

 

[BouncerGuy]

His comment on Babar Azam was likely a courtesy to Shoaib Akhtar, rather than genuine interest

This is what I was thinking when I saw that interview. He was just saying all that out of courtesy. Who knows

 

[SpiritOf1903]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1547657073587933190

What was he thinking?!

 

[emranabbas]

He needs a break for good couple of years atleast. Then make a strong come back.

At the moment his ego don't match his results and it just makes him look like a jokerand thats what probably got to him.

 

[Devadwal]

Babar is most overhyped player in world cricket.

His career most likely over

 

[topspin]

Hard to sympathise for him. He should have never pursued for captaincy. I can understand him falling for the temptation for the first time, back in 2019, but to go behind your friend’s back (SSA) to pursue it again is just beyond selfish.

You cannot give leadership responsibilities to someone like this with very low self-esteem. New Zealand tried it with a similar character, Ross Taylor, but then immediately realised he’s far too reserved and passive to be leading the side so they ended up appointing a new captain a few months later.

The likes of Misbah, Ramiz Raja and anyone else who’s been involved in promoting him on social media are all blameworthy for making his ego so big.

I guess this is what happens when you overhype an individual to create a false narrative.

 

[Rana]

Hard to sympathise for him. He should have never pursued for captaincy. I can understand him falling for the temptation for the first time, back in 2019, but to go behind your friend’s back (SSA) to pursue it again is just beyond selfish.

You cannot give leadership responsibilities to someone like this with very low self-esteem. New Zealand tried it with a similar character, Ross Taylor, but then immediately realised he’s far too reserved and passive to be leading the side so they ended up appointing a new captain a few months later.

The likes of Misbah, Ramiz Raja and anyone else who’s been involved in promoting him on social media are all blameworthy for making his ego so big.

I guess this is what happens when you overhype an individual to create a false narrative.

Bro rewatch the pavilion shows during last year’s PSL

Misbah was totally riding Babar’s captaincy prospect throughout. It’s as if they already knew from the PCB Babar is returning as T20 captain…and they were just hyping him up throughout.

 

[chinaman00]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1547657073587933190

What was he thinking?!

This was a genuine feelings but has unfortunately been exploited by fans to poke fun at Babar.

Babar is a talented player but he won’t reach his full potential, like many Pakistani players, because of his nepotism and fear of failure. He has to free himself mentally & play aggressive cricket.

Only way to regain form is to play first class cricket and this is what he needs to do. He should sign up for county cricket and play the long format to address his technical deficiencies, which are quite many.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

This was a genuine feelings but has unfortunately been exploited by fans to poke fun at Babar.

Babar is a talented player but he won’t reach his full potential, like many Pakistani players, because of his nepotism and fear of failure. He has to free himself mentally & play aggressive cricket.

Only way to regain form is to play first class cricket and this is what he needs to do. He should sign up for county cricket and play the long format to address his technical deficiencies, which are quite many.

It doesn't matter if the feelings are genuine or not it was totally cringe. Did he think he was a wide old sage giving this type of advice?

It deserves to be made fun of. Hopefully it will stop others bootlicking in the future.

In fact all three of the Kohli bootlickers - Babar, Amir and Imad got humbled badly this year. It should be a warning to others.

 

[chinaman00]

It doesn't matter if the feelings are genuine or not it was totally cringe. Did he think he was a wide old sage giving this type of advice?

It deserves to be made fun of. Hopefully it will stop others bootlicking in the future.

In fact all three of the Kohli bootlickers - Babar, Amir and Imad got humbled badly this year. It should be a warning to others.

One can make the argument that Babar poked his nose where it don’t belong but most people will see it as a professional courtesy. Kohli is the best batsman India has ever produced and he has many admirers including the Pakistan cricket team. Babar is a fan of kohli and his gesture can be explained from that angle.

 

[HARKS]

Poor guy , He never was as good as his PR team put him to be and ultimate pressure is placed on him is by comparison to kohli. He has his limitations and is good batsmen for pakistan standards and very good Anchor,instead of trying to change him in to kohli if pakistan has try find 2 aggressive batsmen to compliment him then he may not be in this situation.

 

[Shoaib Akhtar 100 MPH]

Hard to sympathise for him. He should have never pursued for captaincy. I can understand him falling for the temptation for the first time, back in 2019, but to go behind your friend’s back (SSA) to pursue it again is just beyond selfish.

You cannot give leadership responsibilities to someone like this with very low self-esteem. New Zealand tried it with a similar character, Ross Taylor, but then immediately realised he’s far too reserved and passive to be leading the side so they ended up appointing a new captain a few months later.

The likes of Misbah, Ramiz Raja and anyone else who’s been involved in promoting him on social media are all blameworthy for making his ego so big.

I guess this is what happens when you overhype an individual to create a false narrative.

The chairman screwing Babar and Shaheen before the WC had no bearing then?.

 

[topspin]

Bro rewatch the pavilion shows during last year’s PSL

Might watch it when I'm struggling to sleep. Misbah's monotone certainly does help put one to sleep.

Misbah was totally riding Babar’s captaincy prospect throughout. It’s as if they already knew from the PCB Babar is returning as T20 captain…and they were just hyping him up throughout.

Riding his meat is what he does.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Pakistan will rise again inshAllah bro and the toxicity will pass. Bad times make everyone angry.

 

[TheSultan]

Babar’s biggest problem even before these problems is that he is mentally weak.

Did he have the potential and talent to be a great batsman? Yes, no doubt.

However, even before he was given captaincy and control he never gave you the air of a dominant, assured batsman. He never scared anyone. Why because deep down he’s mentally weak.

Why was he such a poor captain. Apart from being a bit thick, he was always mentally weak and lacked any conviction in any decisions he took.

More recently he (or his agency) have employed the most cringe social media marketing which is just laughable. Not only that, the whole “King” narrative is so “try-hard”, it just does not come over. Why does he need to do all this? Because he’s mentally weak. He doesn’t have the conviction that his batting can do the talking.

Time to write him off - he just doesn’t have the mentality of a great cricketer. If he magically comes back and proves everyone wrong, it will be a great story and I (and a lot of other Pak supporters) would happily give him credit for the comeback. But until he does it, he’ll always be Nepababar to me.

 

[topspin]

Babar’s biggest problem even before these problems is that he is mentally weak.

Did he have the potential and talent to be a great batsman? Yes, no doubt.

However, even before he was given captaincy and control he never gave you the air of a dominant, assured batsman. He never scared anyone. Why because deep down he’s mentally weak.

Why was he such a poor captain. Apart from being a bit thick, he was always mentally weak and lacked any conviction in any decisions he took.

More recently he (or his agency) have employed the most cringe social media marketing which is just laughable. Not only that, the whole “King” narrative is so “try-hard”, it just does not come over. Why does he need to do all this? Because he’s mentally weak. He doesn’t have the conviction that his batting can do the talking.

Time to write him off - he just doesn’t have the mentality of a great cricketer. If he magically comes back and proves everyone wrong, it will be a great story and I (and a lot of other Pak supporters) would happily give him credit for the comeback. But until he does it, he’ll always be Nepababar to me.

Spot on. Excellent analysis and very well written as always.

Babar has never really been able to impose his presence and stamp his authority on the opposition when he's batting.

When you look at Younis Khan, MoYo, Inzy and Saeed Anwar, they all had 5-10 (if not more) memorable/stand out innings in his career. With Babar I can't even think of one.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

If Babar wants to prolong his career he should keep himself away from Test and T20 cricket and focus on playing ODIs only as it suits his batting style the most.

 

[uppercut]

Pakistan will rise again inshAllah bro and the toxicity will pass. Bad times make everyone angry.

fikar not .... pretty sure a series against Zimbabwe is around the corner :

here's what Bobby is doing just thinking about the incoming loot(skip to last 4 seconds if in hurry lol ):

 

[moghul]

He will never be the same babar again. He has lost all confidence and temperament for unknown reasons.
by pakistan standard he is alright and will be a good batsmen. But he was never a world class batmen and never will be because of his weak mental strength.

Yes, to be a world class batter you have to have not just a good technique but also mental strength to score in tough conditions and win and save matches from a difficult situation . Babar possesses none of those qualities and he has bee the most overrated player Pakistan has ever produced . Glad he has been brought down to earth.

 

[moghul]

fikar not .... pretty sure a series against Zimbabwe is around the corner :

here's what Bobby is doing just thinking about the incoming loot(skip to last 4 seconds if in hurry lol ):

Not jus funny but its a reality also , he is good against minnows.

 

[moghul]

Pakistan will rise again inshAllah bro and the toxicity will pass. Bad times make everyone angry.

Not until jokers like Naqvi leave the Pakistan cricket alone.

 

[adi_62941]

Yes, to be a world class batter you have to have not just a good technique but also mental strength to score in tough conditions and win and save matches from a difficult situation . Babar possesses none of those qualities and he has bee the most overrated player Pakistan has ever produced . Glad he has been brought down to earth.

In Pakistan team no one is capable of performing in tough situations. I can say a little bit of fakhar and shadab with bat as they won some very important matches for pakistan but other than them i see no one is capable. All are very average mediocre players.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

He won't make a comeback unless he's offered the captaincy again with more privileges.