India is set to kick off their ODI World Cup 2023 journey against Australia on Sunday, October 8. However, the most anticipated match of the year is between India and Pakistan, scheduled for Saturday, October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This encounter is expected to be one of the highlights of the tournament. Yet, the iconic Indian opener, Sunil Gavaskar, feels that the weight of expectation is more on the Pakistan team than on India.
In an exclusive conversation with Sports Tak during the 'Salaam Cricket' World Cup special segment, Gavaskar mentioned, "There will not be much pressure on Team India. If you look at the record between India and Pakistan in the ODI World Cup, India has always had the upper hand. Also because India has not faced any pressure in Ahmedabad, they have done well there... The way they have played cricket."
He further elaborated on the strength of the Indian team, stating, "We have three world-class batters at the top. At number 4, either Shreyas Iyer or KL Rahul. With Ashwin also we have experience in the Playing XI, and they can lead India to glory."
Discussing the significance of Hardik Pandya in the lineup, Gavaskar highlighted his suitability for the number 6 role. He emphasized the importance of the 5th and 6th positions, saying, "Players at these positions should be able to change the course of the game, and Hardik Pandya fits perfectly for the number 6 spot. If given 8-10 overs, this player can not only score 60 runs himself but also add an extra 30 runs for the team, contributing a total of 90 runs."
Drawing parallels with the 2011 World Cup champions, Gavaskar observed, "Hardik Pandya needs to play a role similar to Yuvraj Singh."
Additionally, Gavaskar lauded Virat Kohli, underlining the immense responsibility he carries. Pointing out the evolution of Kohli from 2011 to 2023, Gavaskar noted, “While Kohli was a young player in 2011, he has now matured and evolved, likening his growth to transitioning from a child to a father figure in cricket. When he was the captain in 2019, the team couldn't clinch the World Cup, so this time he will be eager to win.”
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