World Cup 2023: India-Pakistan bilateral contest won’t be competitive at all, says Gautam Gambhir

A dominant India thrashed Pakistan at the ICC World Cup and as a result, extended their winning streak against their arch rivals at the showpiece event. After this result, former India opener Gautam Gambhir made an interesting comment regarding the prospect of the Indian team playing bilateral series against Babar Azam’s team.

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Two-time world champions India have won eight matches on the bounce against Pakistan and their dominance dates back to their first meeting in the 1992 edition of the ODI World Cup.

While reflecting on India’s impressive victory over Babar’s team, Gambhir said that Pakistan used to beat India similarly in the past. However, in recent years, India have been in control, which he considered unfavourable for subcontinental cricket.

“We always used to say that if we have an India-Pakistan series, it will be competitive. An India-Pakistan series is not going to be competitive at all because there is a massive difference between the two sides,” Gambhir told Star Sports.

Gambhir was all praise for star India pacer Jasprit Bumrah for his stellar spell against Pakistan. Bumrah picked up the key wickets of Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan in the low-scoring affair and this changed the complexion of the match. He conceded just 19 runs in seven overs.

Read | ‘Tried to use past experience…’: Bumrah on spell against Pakistan

In the chase, Rohit Sharma took charge and smashed 86 runs from 63 balls.

“If any captain has Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, it is a huge luxury. Out of 50 overs, you get 20 overs from bowlers who can give you wickets anytime,” Gambhir added.

He went on to say that people were comparing Bumrah with Shaheen Shah Afridi, but India’s pace spearhead was under the sun and hardly gave away any runs in his first four overs.

Read | India defeat a ‘pasting and battering’ for Pakistan, says Ramiz Raja

India have started their World Cup campaign with a bang and they currently top the points table with 3 wins in 3 matches. They have been comprehensive in their performances against Australia, Afghanistan and Pakistan so far.