Gautam Gambhir believes Babar Azam will be challenged by India's close-range attack despite coming into the game from a century behind in the opener of Pakistan's 2023 Asia Cup against Nepal.

Former Indian batsman and world champion Gautam Gambhir believes three bowlers from the Indian team will put the No. 1 in trouble. 1 ODI batter Babar Azam.

The arch-rivals will meet in the 50-over format for the first time since 2019, when the teams met at the ICC Cricket World Cup, which ended in the Blues' victory.

The two arch-rivals will meet in a Group A clash in Pallekele on Saturday September 2nd. Babar hit 151 runs and 131 deliveries in his side's 238-run win over the Asian Cup debutants and will be hoping he can continue against Group A's two arch-rivals the Men in Blue.

Speaking to media, Gambhir was asked if Babar's 151 v Nepal was some kind of message to India, to which he replied that the 28-year-old had no message to convey.

Babar Azam doesn't have to convey a message. He conveyed a message in the 104 games he played. If you can get 19 centuries in 104 games, I think he'll be in the top two or three players in all formats." So he doesn't have to deliver a message."

However, he stressed that despite his great success in the Asian Cup opener, he will be tested with the speed of India.

“It will be a good competition though. He will be tested against Fast Indian Bowling. After a long time you will see an Indian attack where all three bowlers [Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Mohammed Siraj] can test Babar Azam right.

“Babar Azam's real test will not be against Nepal, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh, but against India. Such players also want to compete with this type of bowling.”

Gambhir believes Babar would also be keen to showcase his skills against arguably the best opposition bowling attack in the tournament. He said:

“Babar Azam's real test will not be against Nepal, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh, but against India. Such players also want to compete with this type of bowling.”

Babar has 5353 runs in 104 ODIs with an excellent average of 59.47. However, he doesn't have a particularly good record against India as he scored 158 in five innings at a disappointing average of 31.60.