India versus Pakistan's high-octane clash will once again on display when the arch-rivals will lock horns with each other in the upcoming Champions Trophy which is scheduled to start from February 19. The hype is palpable around the mouth-watering battle between India and Pakistan which will be played on February 23 in UAE. However, India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has played down all the hype around 'mother of all clashes' in the eight-team tournament.
We don't go to Champions Trophy thinking about India vs Pakistan game: Gautam Gambhir
The India versus Pakistan cricket rivalry remains one of the most intense and highly anticipated contests in the sport's history. As the two teams prepare to face each other once again in the Champions Trophy, expectations are high for another thrilling encounter. Historically, Pakistan has held a slight edge over India in this tournament, having won three of their five previous meetings. Their dominant performance in the final of the last edition in 2017, where they notched a resounding 180-run victory at the Oval in England, will undoubtedly be fresh in both teams' minds.
Commenting on the key clash, Gautam Gambhir clearly said that Team India isn't going to Champions Trophy thinking 23rd is the most important game but to win the title. He also said that when India and Pakistan play, the emotions will be high, but the contest remains the same. However, he also said that if that is the one game in the middle of winning the Champions Trophy cancel, team is going to take it as seriously as possible.
"We don't go to the Champions Trophy thinking 23rd is the most important game. All 5 matches are important. Our mission is to go to Dubai to win all the matches, but if that is one game in the middle of winning the Champions Trophy, we're going to take it as seriously as possible. Also, when India and Pakistan play, the emotions will be high, but the contest remains the same. It is between bat and ball. For me, it remains the same," Gambhir said at the Naman Awards on Saturday, February 1.
Both the teams will be in a bid to extend their Champions Trophy title count in the 2025 edition. While India have won two Champions Trophy titles in their cabinet, Pakistan have won the coveted title just once.
India will start their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 and will then face Pakistan on February 23. Clash against New Zealand on March 2 will be India's last league game. Meanwhile, Pakistan will lock horns with New Zealand on February February 19 before taking on India on February 23. Pakistan's last league stage match will come against Bangladesh on February 27.
India's Champions Trophy squad:
Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill (vice-capt), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja
Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad:
Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
