Afridi: Rohit Sharma’s Leadership “Golden,” Questions Babar Azam’s Approach

Karachi, Pakistan – Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has made some bold statements regarding the leadership styles of India’s Rohit Sharma and Pakistan’s Babar Azam. In a recent interview, Afridi lauded Rohit’s captaincy, calling it “golden” and even questioned Babar’s approach.

“Rohit’s leadership has been phenomenal. He leads by example, and his team thrives under him,” Afridi stated. “He’s got a fantastic record as captain, and the results speak for themselves.”

Indeed, Rohit’s record as captain is impressive. He has led India to two Asia Cup titles, a T20 World Cup title, and a consistent run of victories across various formats. Under his leadership, India has climbed to the top of the ICC Test rankings, showcasing a strong, cohesive unit.

However, Afridi’s admiration for Rohit contrasts sharply with his observations about Babar Azam. “Babar needs to learn from Rohit. He needs to be more aggressive, more vocal, and more involved in the team’s strategy,” Afridi said.

While Babar is undoubtedly a talented batsman, his leadership has been the subject of debate. His team has struggled in recent ICC tournaments, including the 2022 T20 World Cup, where Pakistan failed to make it past the Super 12 stage. This lack of success has led to questions about Babar’s ability to lead the team effectively on the international stage.

Afridi highlighted Babar’s tendency to be “too quiet” and “restrained.” He suggested that a more assertive and proactive approach is needed from the Pakistani captain. “You need to be a leader, not just a good player,” Afridi emphasized.

These comments have sparked debate amongst fans and experts. While some agree with Afridi’s assessment of Babar’s leadership style, others believe it’s too early to judge him as captain.

One thing is clear, though: Rohit Sharma’s captaincy has been a success story for India, while Babar Azam’s leadership has yet to meet the same level of success for Pakistan. Time will tell if Babar can evolve his captaincy approach and deliver the kind of results that have characterized Rohit’s leadership.