IND vs AUS: Sunil Gavaskar Highlights Importance Of Winning Against Pakistan In ICC World Cup 2023

Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar acknowledged the significance of the match between India and Pakistan in the much-awaited ICC ODI World Cup 2023. Sunil Gavaskar emphasized that the India-Pakistan match is as important as winning the World Cup.

The Rohit Sharma-led team will take on the Babar Azam-led Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday, October 14. Notably, India has a good record against Pakistan, having defeated them on all seven occasions in ODI World Cups.

We Have To Win The World Cup – Sunil Gavaskar

Speaking at the India Today Conclave, Sunil Gavaskar expressed confidence in India as favourites to win the title of the tournament on home turf.

“We have to win the World Cup, but this match is important. In terms of expectations, if you ask the common man, he would say you have to win against Pakistan but we also have a World Cup to win. We are definitely favorites, no question about that,” Sunil Gavaskar told India Today.

Pakistan arrived in India for the ODI World Cup for the first time in the last 7 years. They last played in India during the 2016 T20 World Cup. The majority of the Pakistani players will experience playing on Indian soil.

They Look A Below-Ordinary Side – Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan believes that Pakistan is unlikely to win the tournament, given their performance in the Asia Cup and warm-up matches. He also stated that India will continue to maintain its historical record against Pakistan in World Cups.

“I don’t see Pakistan going forward in this tournament. They are a good T20 side, but from what I have seen of the Asia Cup and the warm-up matches, they look a below-ordinary side. I don’t see India’s record changing against Pakistan,” Harbhajan said.

The Babar Azam-led team failed to advance to the final of the last edition of the Asia Cup. They suffered losses against India and Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023. They lost to New Zealand and Australia in the two warm-up matches.

India and Pakistan have played high-intensity matches in the ODI World Cup since 1992. The matches between arch-rivals are highly anticipated due to the intense fan base and high stakes, adding a unique element to the tournament.

Also read: I Am Not Worried After Ravindra Jadeja: Sunil Gavaskar’s Stunning Verdict On Indian All Rounder