CT 2017: Gautam Gambhir backs team India to win against Pakistan

Veteran Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir is known to be a man of big occasions. He was the top run scorer in the two big World Cup finals that India won in the two formats of the game. Now in 2017, team India has reached the finals of the Champions Trophy. Gambhir is not a part of the team but is surely very excited for the game. In a recent interaction, Gautam Gambhir expressed his excitement for the big game against arch-rivals Pakistan in the tournament final.

As per the quotes in News18, he quoted that the rivalry between the two sides has always been immense. Gambhir himself has been a part of the on-field battles with Pakistan players. No wonder why Gautam Gambhir is not the most loved cricketer among the Pakistani players. He cited that over the years, the onus has always been on Pakistani bowlers and he expects Mohammad Amir to have the limelight this time around.

“For years the India-Pakistan contest has been a battle between India’s batting and Pakistan bowling. Earlier, it used to be Shoaib (Akhtar) and Umar Gul vs us and now Amir is their best bowler. Given the flat nature of wickets in the competition so far I don’t see any threat for India. May be Amir can do something out of ordinary, conditions permitting,” quoted Gambhir.

On the pitch and combinations

Talking about the pitch at Oval, Gambhir expects it to be a tricky one. He further added that considering the pitch, he would be tempted to see Umesh Yadav in the lineup ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin. Also, he recalled how the clash between the two sides has been mouth watering contests since ever. He got nostalgic recalling his innings against Pakistan in World T20 2007.

“I know it is a tricky one but given that the Oval pitch has bounce I would be tempted to play Umesh. Besides, any subcontinental team is generally comfortable against spin which is another reason why I would prefer Umesh although Ashwin too is a fantastic competitor,” he quoted.

“I think the game is between two teams, two countries and not individuals. It surely is a mouth-watering finale, something that every player looks forward to. From the pride point of view you can never forget such games. I remember playing Pakistan in the finals of T20 World Cup in 2007 and ended up scoring highest runs for India,” Gautam Gambhir added.

The big win against Pakistan

He further added saying that he never realised how big the win was against Pakistan in World T20 2007. He understood the magnitude of it when he met the soldiers of the Indian army. He rightly said that the match between India and Pakista has so many aspects associated to it.

“I didn’t realise the magnitude of that innings and the win till I met a few soldiers of Indian army at an event in Delhi weeks later. They were posted on the border in Kashmir and one of them had fought in Kargil too. They told me how proud they were of our 2007 T20 World Cup win. I hate to say this but India-Pakistan games extend beyond cricket ground. There are so many other aspects to it,” said the Indian batsman.

On Aamir Sohail’s remarks

Recently, former Pakistan batsman Aamir Sohail had alleged that there has been some external force that helped Pakistan reach the finals. He had indicated things to be fixed. However, he did not elaborate it. Gautam Gambhir believes that there has to be prove for everything one says. “Well, Aamir Sohail has to substantiate this, till then these comments have no meaning,” he quoted.

His final verdict

Gambhir believes the match will be about controlling the nerves and playing to the best of spirits. “The key will be to control nerves, play your own game, in short play the game and not the event. I think India is heavy on experience, something that Pakistan lacks,” Gambhir conceded.