Sourav Ganguly and Harbhajan Singh praise the Indian top-order

Team India, began the 2017 edition of the Champions Trophy with a tag of favourites despite competition from England, Australia and South Africa for the title. Ahead of the final of the tournament former Indian skipper, Sourav Ganguly has said that India are far ahead of all the teams in the tournament and it would be very tough for Pakistan to beat them in the finals.

India and Pakistan are facing each other in the final of the Champions Trophy for the first time in the competition’s history and the second time in a major ICC event, given their meeting in the 2007 T20 World Cup final, where India defeated Pakistan. The Green Army has never won the Champions Trophy till date, whereas Team India has won the tournament twice.

“I am seeing teams around the world and I see them the way they play and I see them desperate enough to win this tournament. But when I see India, I feel they have come on a mission to win this competition,” Ganguly told India Today in an exclusive chat.

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh also spoke highly about Virat Kohli, on how good a player he is and that he makes it difficult for others to match his standards.

“He’s a kind of a player who likes that kind of a pressure. Whenever there is pressure, Virat Kohli gets bigger than the pressure. He’s been tremendous, he been brilliant not only with the run chases but with his responsibilities as well. He is too good a player to match,” Harbhajan said.

Collective efforts effective for the team

Ganguly further went on to laud the collective performance from the Indian team, be it with the bat, ball or in the field despite some misfields here and there.

“India are too far ahead. They have looked a solid team. No holes, no weaknesses in this Indian side. Yes in the past it was like, India have a strong batting line-up but the fast bowling people would say India are not good enough to pick wickets but Indian fast bowling has just been superb,” he said.

Rohit Sharma-Shikhar Dhawan opening duo

The former Indian skipper loved the way the Indian openers gave the team a platform to attack later on in the game, with Virat Kohli, Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni pretty much hitting the ball out of the park from the very first ball.

“They set the Champions Trophy up for India. They did it last time as well. They have really been remarkable. Congratulations to Dhawan on becoming the highest run-getter,” Ganguly said.

The left-hander was also in great praise of the fellow southpaw Shikhar Dhawan, who has taken the tournament by storm scoring big in the two editions that he has played thus far.

“He has a final to go and a few more Champions Trophy to play in his career. He is a young boy and remarkable one day player. He will go a long way and his performances at world championships have been outstanding. Both him and Rohit Sharma have complimented each other,” Ganguly said.

India would be looking to wrap the tournament with a win over arch-rivals Pakistan come this Sunday when they face off each other in the final of the tournament.

Bhajji feels India have the psychological edge over Pakistan

Indian veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh also heaped praise on India’s top-3 batsmen and felt that Indian side will have an edge over Pakistan going into the final, “I have played with Shikhar, Rohit and Virat, they are brilliant players. In this era, they are the top batters to bowl to. Rohit is a class player, he reminds me of Inzamam-ul-Haq,” said Harbhajan.

“When you keep beating one team again and again, you definitely have an advantage. Pakistan will hope to do better but India definitely have advantage,” concluded Bhajji.