Ravi Shastri to Babar Azam: stop worrying about getting out

Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam once again came under scrutiny during the T20 World Cup after a slow knock in the tournament opener. His cautious 15 off 18 balls raised serious questions about his approach in the shortest format, even though Pakistan eventually edged past the Netherlands with just three balls remaining at Colombo’s SSC Stadium. As debate around his strike rate and intent intensified, former India head coach Ravi Shastri stepped in with direct and no-nonsense advice.

Speaking on The ICC Review alongside Ricky Ponting and Sanjana Ganesan, Shastri said Babar appears trapped by what he described as “mental shackles.” He explained that pressure from seniority and expectations has started to weigh heavily on the former Pakistan captain, preventing him from playing with the freedom and attacking intent that once defined his game.

Weight of expectations holding Babar back

Meanwhile, Shastri explained that expectations grow naturally as players move deeper into their careers, and over time those expectations can begin to feel more like pressure than motivation. He pointed out that senior batters such as Babar Azam constantly carry the responsibility of anchoring the innings, guiding younger players, and delivering match-winning performances on a regular basis. According to Shastri, this continuous demand to perform often forces experienced players into a cautious mindset, particularly in high-pressure tournaments like the T20 World Cup, where every ball and every decision comes under intense scrutiny.

Moreover, Shastri believes this growing mental load has started to interfere with Babar’s natural instincts at the crease. Instead of reacting freely and trusting his timing, Babar now tends to overthink his role and place too much emphasis on preserving his wicket. Shastri stressed that freeing the mind early in the innings plays a crucial role in modern T20 cricket, as a confident and proactive start can immediately change a batter’s mindset. He added that early intent not only builds self-belief but also allows a player to take control of the bowlers rather than slipping into a defensive approach.

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Dont worry about getting out says Shastri

On the other hand, Shastri offered Babar a simple yet blunt mantra specifically suited to the shortest format of the game. He urged the former Pakistan captain to show clear intent right from the opening deliveries, even if that approach involves risk and the possibility of getting out early. Shastri advised Babar to back his strengths, look to hit boundaries in the first few balls, choose his scoring areas wisely, and read the bowler’s plans instead of batting with fear or hesitation.

However, Shastri made it clear that his advice comes from belief rather than criticism. He backed Babar to respond strongly in the upcoming matches and underlined his quality, experience, and proven ability at the highest level. While scrutiny over Babar’s place in the playing XI remains inevitable in T20 cricket, Shastri feels the senior batter has the skill and temperament to adapt quickly. With Pakistan set to face the USA on February 11 in Colombo, he stressed that Babar must find his rhythm early, as the middle overs in T20 cricket often decide the momentum of the game and leave little room for caution or delay.

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