NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer and ex-head coach Ravi Shastri understands the importance of the extreme rivalry between India and Pakistan in worldwide cricket. He not too long ago shared his ideas on present head coach Gautam Gambhir’s remarks forward of their extremely anticipated ICC Champions Trophy conflict.
India and Pakistan, each positioned in Group A of the event, will face off on February 23 in Dubai. The 2 groups final met on the venue in an ICC occasion in 2021, the place Pakistan secured a dominant 10-wicket victory.
Gambhir not too long ago said that the Champions Trophy group-stage match towards Pakistan holds the identical significance as some other fixture within the event, emphasizing that every one video games carry equal worth.
Talking on the most recent version of The ICC Assessment, Shastri acknowledged that he had expressed an analogous sentiment throughout his tenure as head coach however hinted that there’s extra to it than meets the attention.
“I used to be the coach for seven years. Each time I used to be requested, I mentioned the identical factor (as Gambhir). However let me guarantee you, deep down, there’s much more to that than you truly suppose, that is for the media,” Shastri mentioned.
“It’s important to say it. However deep down, you need to win that. As a result of when you do not, you may be reminded of it till the following time you play towards Pakistan.
“Folks do not care what you will have executed prior to now. They are not bothered in regards to the final 10 video games when you gained eight otherwise you gained 9. However they’re going to remind you when you lose one, till the following time you play them.
“It may be a taxi driver, it might be anybody on the road. What occurred to India? The identical query to Pakistan. What occurred to Pakistan? So it all the time performs in your thoughts, so whether or not you prefer it or not, it is a totally different sport. Totally different beasts altogether.”
Shastri, nevertheless, believes that the throwback gained’t be taking over a lot headspace for Indian gamers.
“No, that will not play on their thoughts as a result of that was a T20 sport. It is a 50-over conflict. It’s very totally different,” Shastri mentioned.
“And it is a longer sport which fits India extra, as a result of in T20 you may get upset. In 50-over cricket, when you’ve acquired expertise and you have got depth in your batting and bowling departments and you already know, it makes an enormous, huge distinction.
“And once you have a look at India and Pakistan man to man, India is a much better facet and way more skilled as properly.”
