Sourav Ganguly played 65 matches against Pakistan. He knows well how to win against the arch-rivals. It’s a match where one has to hold their nerves. Often, the team that stays calm and calculated emerges victorious.
Bumrah, the main man in Colombo
Some players thrive under the pressure that the high-octane game brings. For India, Virat Kohli was one of the players who stood up when it mattered the most. Not that Kohli’s retired, but Ganguly thinks Jasprit Bumrah could be the one who rises up.
“Jasprit Bumrah is a game-changer. He is probably the best fast bowler in the world right now in white-ball cricket. He is the best because of his variations. Yorkers, bouncers, slower balls – he knows what to do. He is the captain of his own bowling. That makes him even tougher to face,” Ganguly told JioStar.
The biggest battle of IND vs PAK match
Ganguly thinks Pakistan will have to tackle Bumrah if they want to beat India in Colombo. One Pakistani batter, who can be crucial against the Indian ace pacer, is Sahibzada Farhan. The opener was the only batter in the Asia Cup 2025 who had no issues facing Bumrah.
Sahibzada found no issues in tackling Bumrah. In fact, no one has struck more sixes, 3, against the premier fast bowler in T20Is. If Arshdeep Singh is rested, Bumrah might take the new ball, and that’s where Sahibzada can shine.
“The battle between Sahibzada Farhan and Bumrah will be exciting to watch. But it is not just about one player. All the Pakistani batters will have to play well against Bumrah. If Pakistan sees off his four overs well, they will have a chance to win. If they don’t, they will struggle,” he added.
Jasprit Bumrah vs Sahibzada Farhan: T20I stats
| Innings | Balls Faced | Runs Scored | Wickets | Batting Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 34 | 51 | 0 | 150 |
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