Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffar blames hype around Babar Azam for dip in form

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffar has stirred debate with his candid remarks on Pakistan captain Babar Azam, suggesting that excessive praise and constant comparisons played a role in the batter’s recent struggles.

Speaking during a discussion, Jaffar said Babar was “rated more than his limit” by fans and media, who quickly elevated him to elite status and began comparing him with Virat Kohli. According to Jaffar, labeling Babar as “King” and putting him alongside a player of Kohli’s stature created unnecessary pressure.

He argued that such comparisons can weigh heavily on a player’s mindset, especially when expectations become unrealistic. “Virat is Virat, one of the greatest of this generation,” Jaffar noted, emphasizing that trying to emulate Kohli’s style and consistency may have impacted Babar’s natural game.

Jaffar believes the intense spotlight and constant narrative around matching Kohli’s achievements may have led Babar to alter his approach, ultimately contributing to a dip in form. He added that external perception often shapes how players view themselves, which can sometimes disrupt performance.

Babar, widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s finest modern-day batters, has faced scrutiny in recent months over his consistency and strike rate, despite maintaining solid overall numbers across formats.

Jaffar’s comments have sparked mixed reactions among fans and analysts, with some agreeing that overhyping players can be counterproductive, while others argue that elite athletes are expected to handle pressure at the highest level.