Whenever Pakistan prepares to face India in an ICC tournament, the spotlight naturally shifts to the biggest names. Stadiums fill early. Television numbers break records. Social media turns into a battlefield hours before the toss.
And almost every time, one question rises above the rest: What will Babar Azam do today?
For nearly a decade, Babar has carried Pakistan’s batting hopes. He has dominated bilateral series, climbed ICC rankings, and often been compared to Virat Kohli for elegance and consistency. But ICC events against India are different. They demand not just runs, but defining runs. Not just composure, but command.
As the T20 World Cup 2026 clash between Pakistan and India approaches, Babar’s record in these high-pressure encounters is once again being debated.
Babar Azam vs India in the T20 World Cups
The T20 World Cup stage has produced mixed returns for Babar against India.
T20 World Cup Record vs India
| Year | Venue | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Dubai | 68* | 52 | 130.7 | Pakistan won |
| 2022 | Melbourne | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | Pakistan lost |
| 2024 | New York | 13 | 10 | 130.0 | Pakistan lost |
Across three T20 World Cup matches, Babar has scored 81 runs. The 2021 innings remains historic, Pakistan’s first World Cup win over India. That night, he looked fearless and controlled. But in the two matches that followed, he failed to leave a mark.
In Melbourne in 2022, he fell first ball. In New York in 2024, he started but couldn’t convert. In high-pressure tournaments, small margins define reputations, and these missed opportunities have amplified scrutiny.
Babar Azam vs India in ODI World Cups
The ODI World Cup meetings have followed a similar pattern: decent starts but no dominance.
| Year | Venue | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Manchester | 48 | 57 | 84.2 | Pakistan lost |
| 2023 | Ahmedabad | 50 | 58 | 86.2 | Pakistan lost |
Both innings were technically sound. But critics argue that neither inning shifted the momentum. In chases exceeding 300, acceleration is crucial. Babar’s approach appeared measured when the match required urgency.
Babar Azam Runs vs India in Asia Cup (ODI Format)
The Asia Cup has often served as a high-pressure build-up to ICC tournaments, especially when Pakistan and India meet. For Babar Azam, these ODI encounters against India in the Asia Cup have produced modest returns rather than defining knocks.
In both the 2018 and 2023 editions, Babar showed glimpses of stability but failed to convert starts into match-shaping innings. Below is a clear statistical breakdown of his performances.
| Year | Match | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Group Stage | 47 | 62 | 6 | 0 | 75.81 |
| 2018 | Super Four | 9 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 36.00 |
| 2023 | Super Four | 10 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 41.67 |
In the first game of 2018, Babar played a composed 47. However, the strike rate remained under 80, and he could not anchor a big total. In the second meeting, he struggled for timing and managed only nine runs off 25 balls, putting early pressure on Pakistan’s middle order.
In the 2023 encounter, Babar once again fell cheaply. He scored 10 off 24 balls, unable to settle against disciplined Indian bowling. Across three ODI Asia Cup matches against India, Babar has scored 66 runs at an average of 22. His highest score remains 47. Notably, he has not crossed fifty in these contests.
Champions Trophy 2017 – The One Win
The 2017 Champions Trophy final is often cited as proof that Babar can perform in big matches.
Champions Trophy Final vs India
| Year | Venue | Runs | Balls | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | The Oval | 46 | 52 | Pakistan won |
While it was not a match-winning century, it was a stable innings that helped build pressure alongside Fakhar Zaman’s hundred. Pakistan lifted the trophy, and that remains the only ICC final win for Babar against India.
Overall ICC Record (All Teams)
To understand context, Babar’s overall ICC numbers are important.
Overall ICC Tournament Record
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 50s | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20 World Cup | 18+ | 550+ | 30+ | 5 | 0 |
| ODI World Cup | 10+ | 400+ | 40+ | 4 | 0 |
| Champions Trophy | 5 | 150+ | 30+ | 1 | 0 |
His ICC record overall is solid. The issue is not performance in general; it is performance specifically against India.
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli – The Inevitable Comparison
The comparison with Virat Kohli refuses to fade. Kohli’s ICC record vs Pakistan includes defining moments, especially the 82* at Melbourne in 2022, considered one of the greatest T20 innings ever played. Kohli has repeatedly delivered under pressure in India-Pakistan games. He has controlled chases. He has turned matches single-handedly.
Babar’s style is different. He builds innings. He anchors. But in the India game, that anchoring role has sometimes slowed Pakistan when acceleration was required. The contrast in impact, not elegance, fuels the debate.
Has His Technique Changed Since 2021?
Observers have noticed technical shifts in Babar’s game.
In 2021:
- His back lift was higher.
- His drives through cover were fluent.
- He attacked early in power plays.
In recent years:
- His stance looks slightly more closed.
- The back lift appears shorter.
- He often starts cautiously.
Some analysts believe captaincy pressure changed his rhythm. Others argue that bowlers have worked him out, especially with early left-arm swing.
There are also quiet discussions around fitness. His movement between wickets looks slightly slower than in his peak years. Against high pace, especially at the start of innings, he has been vulnerable. Whether this is mental, technical, or physical remains open for debate.
Why Has He Struggled to Win Matches vs India?
Several factors may explain it. India’s bowlers target him aggressively early. When Babar falls cheaply, Pakistan’s middle order often feels exposed. When he stays longer, he sometimes absorbs pressure rather than transferring it. Strike rate has also been questioned. In modern T20 cricket, a strike rate below 130 in chases can create scoreboard pressure.
Then there is the psychological factor. India-Pakistan matches are emotionally heavier than any other game. Expectations from fans, media scrutiny, and legacy comparisons all multiply the tension.
A New Role in 2026 – Opportunity or Risk?
This time, the situation is different. Babar Azam is no longer the captain. That burden has lifted. He does not have to manage bowling changes or field placements. He can focus purely on batting. He is also expected to bat at No. 4, a role that changes his impact entirely.
At No. 4:
- He may face spin earlier.
- He may need to accelerate immediately.
- He could finish games instead of starting them.
- This position could redefine his ICC narrative.
If he walks in with 60 on the board in the 8th over, he must shift gears quickly. If he arrives early after a collapse, he must rebuild. It is a role demanding adaptability, something critics say he has yet to fully prove in big ICC matches against India.
The Defining Moment Awaits
As the T20 World Cup 2026 clash approaches, the debate is louder than ever.
- Can Babar silence critics with a defining knock?
- Can he match Kohli’s big-stage impact?
- Can he thrive without captaincy pressure?
- Can batting at No. 4 unlock a more aggressive version of him?
This match is not just about rivalry. It is about narrative. Because in India vs Pakistan ICC contests, greatness is not measured by averages.
It is measured by moments, and Babar Azam still has one waiting to be written.
