Ravi Shastri Highlights Intensity Of India-Pakistan Rivalry Before 2025 Champions Trophy
Former Indian cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri shared his thoughts on the intense rivalry between India and Pakistan in international cricket. He believes that no matter how one tries to reduce the significance of this clash, it holds a deeper meaning and emotion. The rivalry between these two countries in international cricket holds a different emotion and a huge fanbase. Both teams will be locking horns with each other in the Champions Trophy on February 23 in Dubai. The last time they came face to face with each other in the Champions Trophy final in 2017, the decision didn't turn out to be in India's favor. Pakistan won the final by 180 runs, claiming the trophy in their name. This time India has the chance to change their fate and win the Champions Trophy 2025, which they failed to do in the 2017 finals.
"You'll be reminded until the next time you play against Pakistan" - Ravi shastri
India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, stated that the match in the Champions Trophy between India and England holds the same importance as any other game in the tournament, stating all matches are equal.
Talking about this, former India head coach Ravi Shastri said that whenever he was asked this question around his tenure, he used to answer the same.
"I was the coach for seven years. Whenever I was asked, I said the same thing (as Gambhir). But let me assure you, deep down, there's a lot more to that than you think; that's for the media. You have to say it. But deep down, you want to win that. Because if you don't, you'll be reminded of it until the next time you play against Pakistan."
"People don't care what you have done in the past" - Ravi Shastri
Shastri said that people don't care what you did in the past; they won't be looking at the eight games you won; both focus on the one you lost, and you will be reminded until the next time you play against them. This question can be raised by anyone; it can be a taxi driver or anyone on the street.
"People don't care what you have done in the past. They're not bothered about the last 10 games if you won eight or you won nine. But they'll remind you if you lose one, until the next time you play them."
"It can be a taxi driver; it could be anyone on the street. What happened to India? The same question to Pakistan. What happened to Pakistan? So it always plays on your mind, so whether you like it or not, it's a different game. Different beasts altogether."
"India is a far better more experienced" - Ravi Shastri
Further, Shastri said that the team won't be looking at the past that they won the World Cup last time because that was a T20 game and now this is a 50-over game. Both are very different; ODI is a longer game, which suits India more. He also stated that India is a better and more experienced side in ODIs.
"No, that won't play on their mind because that was a T20 game. This is a 50-over clash. It's different. And it is a longer game, which suits India more because in T20 you can get upset. In 50-over cricket, if you've got experience and you've got depth in your batting and bowling departments, it makes a massive, massive difference."
"And when you look at India and Pakistan man to man, India is a far better side and far more experienced as well."