Sunil Gavaskar hands Pakistan a brutal reality check; claims India's B team can also beat them
Published - 25 Feb 2025, 01:15 PM | Updated - 25 Feb 2025, 01:18 PM
Pakistan’s disappointing first-round exit from the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has sparked discussions among cricket experts about the team's lack of depth and intent. Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar also expressed surprise at Pakistan’s struggles, especially given the country’s rich history of producing talented cricketers in the past.
Pakistan’s performance in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been underwhelming. They suffered a heavy 60-run defeat against New Zealand in Karachi, followed by a six-wicket loss to India in Dubai in their first two Group A matches in the prestigious tournament.
Sunil Gavaskar gives a harsh reality check to Pakistan after ICC Champions Trophy 2025 exit
The Men in Green’s batting struggles were evident as they could only manage 241 runs against India, which was comfortably chased down by the Men in Blue in 42.3 overs, courtesy of Virat Kohli’s stunning ton in Dubai. Earlier, they could manage only 260 runs while chasing 321 runs against the Black Caps in the tournament opener in Karachi.
Now, Sunil Gavaskar has pointed out that Pakistan's batting lacked aggression and intent. He also highlighted that when Mohammad Rizwan started with a boundary, he thought they changed their approach, but there was no change in approach against India.
The slow-paced innings allowed Indian spinners to take control, leaving Pakistan with no momentum in the one-sided affair in Dubai. Gavaskar also rubbed salt on the Men in Green’s wounds by saying that even India’s B or maybe C team can also beat their arch-rivals easily.
India's B team will be very, very hard to beat for Pakistan currently: Sunil Gavaskar
Notably, New Zealand’s five-wicket win over Bangladesh in Rawalpindi sealed the defending champions Pakistan’s early exit from the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Sunil Gavaskar was quoted as saying by Sports Today, “I think a B team certainly (can give Pakistan a run for their money). C team, I am not too sure. But a B team will be very, very hard to beat for Pakistan in their current form. It was quite surprising that nothing went their way.”
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With Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman unavailable, there were no strong replacements for the duo, exposing Pakistan’s weak bench strength. And Gavaskar said that they were once known for producing naturally gifted cricketers, but it is surprising that their talent pipeline seems to have dried up now.
Sunil Gavaskar suggests Pakistan work on their bench strength before it's too late
The legendary Indian batter added, “I think it's surprising—this lack of bench strength. Pakistan always had natural talent. Natural in the sense that they may not have always been technically correct, but they had an instinctive understanding of bat and ball.”
The former Indian captain also mentioned the Men in Green are failing to develop match-ready players like India’s IPL does despite having the Pakistan Super League. He believes that Pakistan cricket needs urgent changes to rebuild its lost depth before it’s too late.
Gavaskar signed off by saying, “They also have the Pakistan Super League. How has India produced so many young stars in white-ball cricket? It's because of the IPL. Players from there have gone on to play in the Ranji Trophy and eventually for India. That is something Pakistan cricket must analyze. They need to figure out why they no longer have the bench strength they once did.”
