VIDEO: Former Indian cricketing stars rush to Babar Azam's support amid widespread bashing

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been facing intense criticism for his performances in recent years. His latest outing in the highly anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 match against India saw him score just 23 runs, contributing to Pakistan's defeat.

Amid the backlash, former Indian cricketers Navjot Singh Sidhu, Harbhajan Singh, and Sunil Gavaskar have stepped forward to support Babar. They urged Pakistani fans to show respect and stand by their star player during tough times.

Sidhu emphasized Babar's contributions to Pakistan cricket over the years and expressed confidence in his ability to perform in the future. He urged fans to support him rather than criticize him.

"Babar has scored runs for you, and he will continue to play for your team for a long time. Learn to respect him; don't throw stones from afar. A player like Babar doesn't come around often, and instead of lifting him up during difficult times, you are pushing him down. That is not how you treat your heroes," Sidhu said.

While backing Babar, Sidhu also pointed out some technical flaws in his batting and offered suggestions for improvement. "Babar needs to work on his foot positioning to better handle the bounce and movement of the ball. If he refines his stance and improves his technique against swing bowling, he will be an even greater force in international cricket," he added.

Despite the recent criticism, Sidhu believes Babar is a highly talented player who can regain his form with proper guidance and support. "Every cricketer goes through ups and downs. With the right mentorship and encouragement, Babar can rise back to his peak form and silence his critics," he remarked.

Former Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar also defended Babar, praising his elegant stroke play. "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," Gavaskar said.

Echoing similar sentiments, former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh criticized the excessive scrutiny Babar faces. "Babar Azam faces constant criticism while the real issues are ignored. Pakistan conceded 320 runs, yet only his strike rate was questioned. Babar lacks support. Cricket is a team game—one player alone cannot win every match. Pakistan needs a collective effort, they can not just blame one player," Harbhajan asserted.

Meanwhile, cricket fans on social media have voiced their concerns, arguing that Babar rarely plays match-winning innings and focuses more on personal records. Many believe he needs to step up in crucial games and prove his worth as a leader and a match-winner.

It is worth mentioning that Pakistan's consecutive defeats to New Zealand and arch-rivals India led to their elimination from the Champions Trophy 2025.