(Credit BCCI)
The highly anticipated showdown between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 is garnering immense attention. The eagerly awaited match is set to unfold on June 9 in New York, with all eyes eagerly fixed on the spectacle.
This marks the first encounter between the two teams this year, following their last meeting in the ODI World Cup, where India handed Pakistan a humiliating defeat. The upcoming match also signifies the first T20I encounter between the two since their memorable clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the 2022 T20 World Cup.
India’s remarkable victory in that match, fueled by a stellar innings from Virat Kohli, remains fresh in memory. As they gear up for the upcoming game, the Men in Blue will undoubtedly seek to replicate that success. Ahead of this highly anticipated showdown, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly has issued a timely warning to Rohit Sharma and the squad.
Ganguly emphasized India’s impressive track record against Pakistan, while also acknowledging Pakistan’s prowess as a formidable T20 side. He urged the Indian team to exercise caution, yet also encouraged them to play with freedom in pursuit of a favorable outcome.
“Our record against Pakistan has been very, very good over a long period of time. In the T20 format, probably Pakistan is more dangerous compared to 50- overs (format). We beat them in Ahmedabad when they came to India and we beat them easily.
“India is superior and if they play well, if they play freely and I keep saying the word ‘freely’ all the time because (in) the last World Cup in Australia, I don’t think we played freely,” Sourav Ganguly was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
“Just put all the cobwebs behind. Don’t worry about winning or losing. Don’t think about winning the World Cup. Just go and play every game,” he added.
Sourav Ganguly on India’s chances:
Sourav Ganguly also offered his perspective on India’s chances in the T20 World Cup. Notably, India has not clinched the trophy since MS Dhoni led the team to victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup back in 2007. Ganguly expressed confidence in the current squad, suggesting they possess a strong opportunity to finally end the prolonged wait for the World Cup trophy.
India have very good chances in the World Cup. India will have to play like a T20 team. There is enormous talent,” he said.
” … play without fear and just keep hitting. There is enormous talent, (this is) a team which has (Virat) Kohli, Rohit (Sharma), Surya (Suryakumar Yadav), (Rishabh) Pant, (Shivam) Dubey, (Hardik) Pandya, (Ravindra) Jadeja, Axar (Patel), (Jasprit) Bumrah, Sanju (Samson).
“That’s why I say everyone is capable of winning it for India and the only way they will do it is (if they) just play with freedom. Play with that extra batsman and hit from the first ball, hit till you have to defend (and) play like the last ball,” he added.
Ahead of facing Pakistan, India will be opening their campaign on June 5 by taking on Ireland.
