In modern cricket, statistics often create superstars—but numbers don’t always tell the full story. Some batsmen boast impressive averages and eye-catching records, yet a closer look reveals a pattern: most of their success has come against weaker opposition. Against top-tier teams, especially in high-pressure ICC events, these players have frequently failed to deliver.

Here’s a look at five such batsmen from around the world, including one prominent name from India, whose reputations shine brighter on paper than in big-match reality.

1. Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Once hailed as the “King” of Pakistan cricket, Babar Azam built a formidable record against teams like Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. His elegant strokeplay and consistency at one stage suggested he would dominate world cricket.

However, outside of a few standout performances—such as the 2021 T20 World Cup match against India—Babar repeatedly struggled against elite bowling attacks in major tournaments. Over time, his failures against top sides mounted, and today, his place in the Pakistan team itself has come under question.

2. Quinton de Kock (South Africa)

Quinton de Kock possessed all the tools of a modern great: sharp reflexes, clean hitting, and the ability to provide explosive starts. Against weaker teams, he often looked unstoppable.

Yet consistency against stronger opponents remained a concern. Against teams like India, Australia, England, and New Zealand—especially in ICC tournaments—his returns were erratic. Despite immense talent, his inability to regularly perform on the biggest stages limited his legacy.

3. Shai Hope (West Indies)

Shai Hope’s ODI average is among the best of his era, earning him the label of a modern Caribbean great. But a deeper dive into his numbers tells a different story.

Many of his highest scores came against weaker bowling attacks—Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, and Scotland. Against elite teams like India, Australia, England, and South Africa, his effectiveness dropped sharply, exposing a gap between statistical excellence and big-match impact.

4. Shikhar Dhawan (India)

The Indian name on this list, Shikhar Dhawan was admired for his stylish strokeplay and strong performances in Asia and ICC events. His dominance against teams such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe significantly boosted his numbers.

However, against stronger bowling attacks, his starts often failed to convert into match-defining innings. While effective and valuable, his record shows a clear tilt toward success against weaker opposition, earning him the tag—fair or not—of a “small-team specialist.”

5. Imam-ul-Haq (Pakistan)

Seen as a long-term prospect for Pakistan, Imam-ul-Haq has displayed solid technique and patience at the international level. His averages remain healthy, largely due to strong performances against lower-ranked teams.

But when faced with high-pressure matches, elite bowlers, and major tournaments, his struggles become evident. Against top teams, his scoring rate drops and dismissals come cheaply, raising questions about his effectiveness at the highest level.