Veteran Sunil Gavaskar has made a big claim ahead of the IND vs PAK clash in the World Cup. The Men in Blue will face the arch-rivals Pakistan in a group stage match of the WC to be played in Ahmedabad. To note, this is the first time Pakistan have arrived in India since 2016 and Gavaskar stated that a common man/woman will want to see the home team defeat their neighbours.
Both India and Pakistan recently faced each other during the Asia Cup. Rohit Sharma and Co. emerged victorious over the Men in Green during that tournament and are certainly the favourites to win against Babar Azam and Co. at the batting paradise of the Narendra Modi Stadium.
We are definitely favourites no question: Sunil Gavaskar
“We have to win the World Cup but this match is important. In terms of expectations, if you ask the common man, he would say you have to win against Pakistan but we also have a World Cup to win. We are definitely favourites, no question about that,” Sunil Gavaskar said in the India Today Conclave.
Meanwhile, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh also agreed with Gavaskar and said that he doesn’t see the Pakistani side lifting the trophy this time. “I don’t see Pakistan going forward in this tournament. They are a good T20 side but from what I have seen of the Asia Cup and the warm-up matches, they look a below-ordinary side. I don’t see India’s record changing against Pakistan,” Harbhajan said on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Men in Blue will play its opening match against Australia on October 8 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. As mentioned above, the IND vs PAK clash will be played on October 14 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Ahead of the mega event, the skipper from both sides met during the Captain’s meet on Wednesday.
Speaking about their match against India, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said that they are excited about the game. “It’s always a big match”. Meanwhile, Indian captain Rohit said that people are going to love this tournament. The venues will be jam-packed. “Indians love their cricket. It is going to be a great tournament,”
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