IND vs PAK: Sourav Ganguly Speaks On India vs Pakistan Clash, Says ' It Is A Huge Game, Always Was And Always Will Be'

Former BCCI chief, Sourav Ganguly opened up on the upcoming clash between the two rivals, India and Pakistan. Ganguly said that it will always be a huge game no matter what era it is.

While speaking to Revsportz, Sourav Ganguly said that the high-voltage match between the two rivals is very important if one can see it from the World Cup’s pretext and that he used to treat it like an India-Australia match.

The former India skipper said that he used to treat the match like any other white or red ball match since you start to take the pressure, the players will lose their focus.

“It is a huge game. Always was and always will be. You have realized how important it is in the context of the World Cup. I used to treat it very much like an India Australia, India South Africa contest. I used to get into the mindset that it is still the red ball or the white ball you are up against and prepare myself like that. You can’t let the occasion get to you because that’s when you tend to lose focus,” Sourav Ganguly said.

Sourav Ganguly stated that some players are good when it comes to managing pressure while some players can’t handle it. He also stated that when Ganguly was the captain, Pakistan used to be more competitive but still India had a great record against them.

The former BCCI chief praised the current Pakistan squad and said that they have many extraordinary talent who can make a difference in a match.

“No its not. You have to prepare yourself that way. That’s how you manage pressure. Some manage and some don’t manage. In my tenure we had a great record against Pakistan but this time round it will be a more competitive game. Last year after Pakistan beat India in Dubai things have changed.

“Pakistan is also a very good side and it is amazing how they keep churning out extraordinary talent. But playing India in India, playing India in Ahmedabad, and playing India in front of 110,000 fans is a very different thing,” Sourav Ganguly added.

India are the favourites and there is no doubt about that: Sourav Ganguly

When Ganguly was asked about the time when Shoaib Akhter labelled Pakistan as the underdogs in the upcoming ODI World Cup, the former India skipper replied that the Men in Blues are the favourites in the tournament and Rohit Sharma’s side have a good record against the Men in Green in the 50-over matches.

The ex-cricketer also said that the Men in Blues have some quality fast bowlers and spinners in the squad.

“India are the favourites and there is no doubt about that. India also has the record against Pakistan in World Cup 50 over contests. But then you have to play well on the day. It is a new day and a new game. India has some very good fast bowlers, and some fine spinners so it will depend on execution on the day,” the former India captain further added.

India will take on Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 on Saturday (September 2nd) at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka.