Forward of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, former India head coach Ravi Shastri on Wednesday opened up on the rivalry between India and Pakistan and in addition offered insights on head coach Gautam Gambhir’s remarks, as per the ICC. Gambhir not too long ago mentioned the significance of the Champions Trophy group stage fixture in opposition to Pakistan was the identical as each different fixture on the occasion, with all video games on the event of equal worth. Chatting with host Sanjana Ganesan on the most recent version of The ICC Overview, Shastri said that whereas he had spoken of the fixture in the identical gentle again when he was head coach, there’s extra to it.
“I used to be the coach for seven years. Every 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 really assume, that is for the media. You need to say it. However deep down, you wish to win that. As a result of should you do not, you will be reminded of it till the following time you play in opposition to Pakistan,” Shastri mentioned as quoted by the ICC official web site.
“Individuals do not care what you have got performed prior to now. They are not bothered in regards to the final 10 video games should you gained eight otherwise you gained 9. However they’re going to remind you should you lose one, till the following time you play them. It may be a taxi driver, it could possibly 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 completely different recreation. Totally different beasts altogether,” the previous cricketer added.
India and Pakistan, slotted in Group A of the Champions Trophy, are set to face-off on February 23 in Dubai.
The 2 groups had beforehand locked horns on the venue in an ICC event in 2021, when Pakistan registered a mammoth 10-wicket win.
Shastri, nevertheless, believes that the throwback will not 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 recreation. This can be a 50-over conflict. It’s very completely different. It is a longer recreation which fits India extra, as a result of in T20 you will get upset. In 50-over cricket, should you’ve bought expertise and you have depth in your batting and bowling departments and , it makes an enormous, huge distinction. if you have a look at India and Pakistan man to man, India is a much better aspect and much more skilled as effectively,” Shastri mentioned.
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