Soon after the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the schedule for the Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, social media was flooded with reactions as Virat Kohli-led India will kick off their campaign in the showpiece event against arch-rivals Pakistan. The hype around the contest has reached next level over the years as the two teams now lock horns only in global events due to the political tensions between the two countries. Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has shared his views on the much-awaited contest.
India and Pakistan might have been engaged in some of the most thrilling contests in the past, but as far as World Cup is concerned, the Men in Green are yet to defeat the Men in Blue. The two teams will now lock horns in Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 on October 24.
Speaking on Star Sports show Game Plan, Gambhir opined that India was a far more superior team compared to Pakistan.
“Expectations are going to be really high from Pakistan as well, and at the moment, if you see, India is far more superior to Pakistan. Yes, in a T20 format, anyone can beat anyone because it is a very individual kind of format, and we should not take any team for granted. For example, you should not take Afghanistan for granted. People like Rashid Khan can create upsets. It’s the same with Pakistan. But, yes, there will be pressure on Pakistan,” he said.
India and Pakistan are in the same group for Men’s T20 World Cup which also has two other teams in New Zealand and Afghanistan. Gambhir called Group A as the group of death in the mega event.
“Group 1 is the group of death, and that’s actually the real group. You’ve got four teams locked in and playing what, on day one of the T20 World Cup, that’s going to be a very exciting Saturday. West Indies have always been very unpredictable with the kind of firepower they’ve got – they can go on to win the third time as well. England has also got the firepower; they have probably got the most consistent white-ball team over the last couple of years – after winning the 50-over World Cup. Australia has literally gone off the radar, probably because a lot of main players are missing, but then again, I think they can be very dangerous on that particular day,” Gambhir added.
India and Pakistan last met on the cricket field in the ICC 2019 World Cup – where Kohli & Co. defeated Sarfaraz Ahmed-led Pakistan by 81 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method.
