Don't Hold Your Breath, The India Vs Pakistan Match Won't Be A Nail-Biter Because Virat Kohli's Boys Are Just Too Good!
India face Pakistan on June 4 in the upcoming Champions Trophy
Six runs are needed off the last delivery. Pakistan batsman Javed Miandad is on strike, scanning the entire field set by Indian captain Kapil Dev. Chetan Sharma runs in with the intention of bowling a yorker. But it's a full toss and Miandad slaps it for a six over deep mid-wicket. And Pakistan win the Austral-Asia cup. The intensity of an India-Pakistan clash doesn't die till the last delivery. Back then, no matter which team won, it was the spirit of cricket that reigned supreme.
But all of that is now history. The modern day Pakistan cricket team is either struggling to zero in on an able captain or is busy fixing matches. The final nail in the coffin was Misbah Ul Haq and Younis Khan's retirement. Not that they bailed Pakistan out often, but moral support can play a major role in times of defeat.
You already have your Sunday planned. You will either be crowding around giant TV screens or sitting with beer mugs at a friend's place. But will the match be worth the planning and excitement? Given the condition of the Pakistan team, certainly not.
Here are reasons why the Champions Trophy clash between the arch-rivals won't be a high-voltage affair:
1. Team India's steady batting line-up
Look at the world-class top order India have. Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahane. Pakistani bowlers don't even have a threatening name in their ranks. Mohammad Amir is not what he once was. Obviously, match-fixing changed him forever.
2. Hardik Pandya is in full swing
An amazing Indian Premier League season has left Hardik Pandya hungry for more. He's been itching to perform at the international level for quite sometime now. Beware Pakistan, Pandya could be the deciding factor as you bite the dust.
3. Virat Kohli's hunger to perform in England
The last time Kohli toured England in 2014, he scored at an average of less than 20. He might be quietly dodging barbs as people criticise his performance in England but deep within he is waiting to go all guns blazing. Well, Pakistan might just be at the receiving end.
4. India's deadly bowling attack
Shoaib Malik has already said that Mohammad Shami is India's best bowler. That says enough about how Pakistan are already quaking in their boots. Malik doesn't quite know that Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav are also licking their chops.
5. When Ashwin and Jadeja spin up a storm...
Well, where will Pakistan run once Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja spin up a storm? Nowhere! The current crop of batsmen haven't really faced Ashwin and Jadeja as much. They're sure losing their grip on the game once the ball starts turning.
6. The MS Dhoni Onslaught
Forget Pakistan, the world is yet to get a wicket-keeper who can match MSD's abilities. His lightening-quick stumpings, the ability to scoop yorkers out with a helicopter shot and that valuable advice to Virat Kohli can obviously work wonders.
7. Little dynamite Kedar Jadhav
He's the latest addition to Team India, he's an attacking batsman and Pakistan are yet to figure out his weakness. He will play an important role if India chase. His exploits have possibly triggered panic in the Pakistani team.
