India are favorites to win the Champions Trophy: Shaun Tait

India and Pakistan are going to meet once again in the Champions Trophy and that too in the final. The India-Pakistan game is never short of drama. The defending champions outplayed Pakistan in the group stages and since then the Pakistani team has improved every game.

The Men in Blue will be wary of the threat this team poses as they are extremely unpredictable. They have already beaten the odds to get into the final by defeating the hosts England in the semis. Pakistan, on the other hand, have already seen India’s wrath in the group stages.

Shaun Tait, the former Australian fast bowler, is favouring India to get past Pakistan in the finals. He thinks that India have the upper hand going into the tie and will probably emerge winners. He talked about various aspects of both the teams and picked a better unit.

India have a better batting lineup

Tait believes that whoever performs on the day will take the trophy home irrespective of the form or the talent in the team. However, he still thinks that India are the favourites to win as they have a better batting lineup.

“The edge is with India. They will probably go into the game as favourites. Pakistan have played some good cricket and have had some good wins. On a day, anybody can win. But at the moment I will have to give an edge to India, their batting line up is quite stronger,” he said while talking to the reporters.

Pakistan have a better bowling lineup

The Australian fast bowler who has 62 scalps to his name in the ODIs believes that India have good pacers and excellent bowlers but when it comes to a bowling unit as a whole then the Men in Green look to be better.

He said, “At the moment, Pakistan having Hasan Ali in the side, they have a slightly better attack. India have good balance. They have (Ravichandran) Ashwin as well. They need someone like (Hardik) Pandya to step up, to be the extra bowler to do well. It is a close contest. But have to say that Pakistan’s bowling is slightly better and India’s batting is better.”

Surprised by Pakistan

Like everyone, this Australian speedster is also surprised by Pakistan. After watching them lose against India in the opener, everyone ruled them out of the tournament but they have bounced back. They have improved in each game and have a great captain in Sarfraz Ahmed.

“I am surprised. On their day they can be very good and they can be very bad. They have played some good cricket at the right time. Sarfraz Ahmed is a good captain,” said Tait.