- 1 hour ago
T20 World Cup, IND vs PAK: Sunil Gavaskar believes India will experience heightened pressure heading into their Pakistan clash, primarily due to sky-high expectations from supporters.
"India at the start is the favourite. The way India have been playing, everybody expects them to win," Gavaskar observed, noting that the opposition will naturally try to upset those predictions.
The former captain suggested a familiar remedy for handling such pressure: "Shut the noise off. Don't read anything about cricket, just talk amongst yourself, keep each other company, have that little banter and keep your spirits up."
Gavaskar emphasised the importance of staying present rather than overthinking the high-stakes encounter against their arch-rivals.
"India at the start is the favourite. The way India have been playing, everybody expects them to win," Gavaskar observed, noting that the opposition will naturally try to upset those predictions.
The former captain suggested a familiar remedy for handling such pressure: "Shut the noise off. Don't read anything about cricket, just talk amongst yourself, keep each other company, have that little banter and keep your spirits up."
Gavaskar emphasised the importance of staying present rather than overthinking the high-stakes encounter against their arch-rivals.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Well hello and welcome to our special broadcast. We're coming to you live from Colombo. The program of course is
00:06called Keep the Cup because remember India are the defending champion and so far they've played two games, won two
00:13games but the big match, the biggest match for India in this tournament is less than or just about 24
00:20hours to go for that big encounter.
00:24India versus Pakistan going to be taking place right here in Colombo. Both teams practice today. We bring you all
00:30the latest from the practice session as well as the press conferences as to what the two captains had to
00:36say ahead of this crucial encounter.
00:38I'll also be joined by Harbhajan Singh live here in Colombo. Joining us also live is Mr. Sunil Gavaskar who's
00:45at the moment in Mumbai but come match day he's going to be here in Colombo covering that particular encounter.
00:51I'll start with you before I get in Harbhajan Singh who's just on his way here. You know India, Pakistan
00:57always a high pressure encounter. Both teams are always under pressure but would it be fair to say two things.
01:05One, India start as the favourites even now because of their record and their recent form and because they start
01:12favourite a little bit more pressure on India with Pakistan saying nothing much to lose.
01:21Yes, I think there would be a little bit more pressure simply because India's start is the favourites. The way
01:26India have been playing everybody expects them to win excepting the opposition of course.
01:30The opposition is going to try and stop them from winning but the expectations of the Indian cricket loving public
01:34are so high from this team because of the way they have played that the pressure will definitely be there.
01:39Now, how do you handle the pressure? Well, obviously I think the easiest way is to, as they keep saying,
01:46you know, shut the noise off which means maybe do something, don't listen to anything about cricket, don't read anything
01:53about cricket.
01:54Just, just talk amongst yourself, keep each other company, you know, have that little banter, etc. And, you know, keep
02:00your spirits up but don't think about tomorrow's game.
02:03Okay, we are coming to you live from Colombo. As promised, Harbhajan Singh is already with us. Mr. Gavaskar continues
02:10to be live with us. You just heard him a short while ago.
02:13But, Harbhajan, to you on this one and this is the question that I asked Mr. Gavaskar as well. Which
02:18team do you think under more pressure?
02:19India because they are favourites or Pakistan because they don't have a great record so they have to correct that
02:25record. Which team? Because we often say team that handles pressure wins.
02:28See, obviously pressure will be on both the sides but I think India will be under more pressure because India
02:35is favourite.
02:36So, you know, if you look at the record of India against Pakistan, it is way more higher than any
02:43other country.
02:44So, I believe that's why those expectations makes it even more, you know, difficult for those players, you know, to
02:51live up to those expectations.
02:52But, every time they have, you know, done well, you know, when we played, we done well against them. So,
02:59hopefully tomorrow will be the same story again.
03:02India will be under more pressure because they are expected to win. Pakistan have got nothing to lose. If they
03:08go on to win, that's a bonus for them.
03:09So, they will probably go on to play a little freely in this game but there will be some nerves,
03:16you know, but India will be under more pressure.
03:18So, what do you make of India's batting approach? Because, you know, one thing that we have gotten used to
03:24from this Indian batting side is they keep attacking all the time.
03:27And that's why you get 220, 230. But in Premadasa here, we have seen a few low scoring encounters. With
03:34that in mind, how would you like India to approach this particular game?
03:37Bat in the fashion that they do or no, adjust to the conditions, yeah?
03:43Look, it can't be reckless. It can never be reckless. It's got to be calculated aggression. And that's what we've
03:49seen so far. What we've seen is calculated aggression.
03:52Yes, occasionally, it goes wrong. But I think it's a calculated aggression that is important. For example, I think you've
03:59got 12 runs in the over.
04:00You've hit two or three sixes, two sixes and maybe another boundary. And then now the fielders have been moved
04:05a little bit.
04:06You do not go to try and take that challenge that you want to go over the fielder and get
04:10out. Because that speaks silly.
04:13But if you're in the flow, and I know it's very easy to say, but if you're in the flow
04:17as a batter, then you keep doing it. And yes, you might get out. Yeah, that is the thing.
04:22But the thing is to also see which bowlers you're targeting. There are bowlers you must target for maximum runs
04:31in their two or three overs.
04:32There are certain bowlers you should be happy to say, look, I'll probably get maybe eight runs an over from
04:37him. That's a good economy for him.
04:41Okay, we heard from Mr. Gavaskar. He says, you know, you've got to go with calculated aggression and you have
04:46to be mindful of which bowler you target.
04:48Talking about bowlers, I'm delighted to have Offspinner with me because that's the man everyone's talking about, right?
04:55Usman Tariq. You've had the opportunity to watch him much closer than all of us because you were there at
05:00ILT20 as well.
05:01What can you tell us? Is the threat real or are we hyping him too much?
05:05No, he's a good baller. He's a top baller, quality baller. You know, I've seen him bowling in ILT20 recently.
05:13And they kept him only for the semis in the finals. And he went on to win those two games
05:18for their respective team.
05:20So, you know, I had no clue about this guy, you know, what he brings on to the table.
05:26And when he saw him, he was totally a different baller altogether, you know. Never seen somebody like that, you
05:33know, who can hold his position for that long and see what batsman is looking to do.
05:38It's a unique kind of a style he's got and he's got very good qualities and a lot of variations
05:44he's got.
05:45Yes, there is a hype about him, you know, but in the end, you just have to watch the ball
05:49and play the ball according to wherever it is spinning, whether out or inward.
05:54So, you have to keep him, you know, keep watching him, keep watching his hand.
06:00You know, obviously, you know, people have not seen him. That's why we are talking too much about him.
06:05And of course, the more cricket he will play, the easier he will become for all the batters to, you
06:11know, see what he brings on to the table.
06:13Remember, Ajanta Mendes, you know, when he came into the scene, he was also a mystery bowler.
06:18People couldn't understand what he was doing. And this guy is the same. These are big grounds.
06:24Nikhil, we need to be a little mindful when we are looking to take him on because these big grounds,
06:30slower wicket, he can be a very handy, you know, customer for them.
06:34So, I would suggest that look to play him safe. 30 runs in 4 overs. Don't give away any wicket.
06:42And, you know, you have other bowlers you can attack.
06:44Okay, I was going to ask him, that was my next question, but he has already answered that. What should
06:48be India's approach as he says.
06:50In fact, it's an interesting point that Harbhajan makes because I was taking a look at some of his past
06:54data and his past performances.
06:56Every time batters have tried to take single doubles with him, he has not picked up too many wickets.
07:01Every time you have tried to attack him, that's where he ends up picking up a lot of wickets and
07:04talking about big grounds.
07:06We, I can confirm, I was there at the ground. You have got the bang, centre wicket. So, it will
07:10be equidistance both sides.
07:11And I just wanted to add, you know, we'll have to wait and watch, you know, how Pakistan will look
07:16to use him.
07:17You know, and at what scenario, at the game, you know, what point of the game they would like to
07:24use him.
07:25You know, would they use him for the attacking option or would they just use him for the batters like
07:31Abhishek in the power play.
07:32In the power play, if he comes, you know, Abhishek will take him on because then you have so many
07:37people inside the circle.
07:39Then it becomes easy for a batter to just go on over the top.
07:42But once the circle is, you know, spread, then you have to be mindful because these are big ground nickel.
07:49And I've played a lot of cricket here in Katharama. The wicket will be on the little slower side.
07:55I think, you know, if we just give him, you know, that credit that he's a very good baller.
08:01We have not seen him much. So give him that credit and look to play him safe.
08:05And the other guys, we can score off rounds.
08:08Yes. And the most other bowlers that Pakistan has had, especially their spinners, India has a good record against them.
08:13They've always gotten runs so you can look to score against them.
08:16Sanibai is still with us. Sanibai, you know, we spoke about Usman Tariq and I was talking to you yesterday
08:20about him as well.
08:21But apart from him, what do you make of this Pakistani team? Are there any other threats that the Indian
08:27team need to think about when, you know, playing Pakistan tomorrow?
08:34Well, Pakistan, you know, I think they've got a couple of good players. But for me, there are two players
08:39who I feel that India should be really watching out for.
08:42One is the, and both are openers. One is an opening bowler, Nassim Shah. And the other is Saib Sadar
08:49Farah.
08:50Who I think, you know, these are the guys who, you know, both one with the bat and one with
08:53the ball.
08:54So, India will have to watch out for them. They can cause problems.
09:00Sanibai, just to follow up on that, in terms of the 11, you know, what would you like India to
09:08do?
09:08There's a bit of a catch-22 situation and we heard from Suru Kumar Yadav. He said, I also don't
09:13know, should I go with a fast bowler?
09:14Should I go with a spinner? Because we have such good quality fast bowlers, we have such good quality spinners.
09:19What would you like to see change in the Indian 11? Go with the same 11 or bring someone in?
09:26I said yesterday that I'd like to see Washington Sundar in the team because of the fact that Pemrasa has
09:32been helping spinners.
09:35So, yes, I think an additional spinner. But somebody like Washington Sundar who can bat down the order as well.
09:40Who can bat at number eight, you know, give it a thrust. The last two or three overs, you want
09:45some, you know, 18-20 runs in three overs.
09:47You know, somebody like Washington Sundar can get you those, you know, 20-30 runs.
09:51So, yes, I think I'd like to see that. And like I said, you know, Arsteep has been a fine
09:57bowler.
09:58But I would like Ardik Pandya and Bumrah to be the new ball bowlers and then the spinners come in.
10:05And you have Shivam Dubey to come in and bowl a couple in case, you know, the new ball is
10:09wobbling.
10:10They're out of it.
10:10Okay, I'm going to put you on the spot, Harbhajan, on this one.
10:13Sahi bai says, bring a washi for Arsteep. You also make your batting very long.
10:19There's a Kundip Yadda who has an excellent record against Pakistan. How do I keep him out?
10:23Then you've got Arsteep Pooja, number one T20 bowler. What are you doing?
10:27I think there's no need to panic, you know, about changing the side.
10:33I think everyone in the team, if you see Arshadeep, he's a top bowler.
10:38You know, if you leave him out and bring somebody else tattoo against Pakistan, big game, pressure game,
10:43obviously those guys will feel a bit of nerve. And of course, you're talking about Washington Sundar or anybody else
10:50coming in.
10:50You know, they are also quality players. But I think why change when everything is working for you,
10:57everything is going well, a team looked good, fast bowling, spin bowling.
11:01And I don't see there is any need for the change at this point of a time.
11:06I think they just need to back their players, you know, whether it's Arshadeep, Barun, Akshar.
11:11I think they all have quality in them to win the game on their own. So why change?
11:16Yeah, it's a very interesting point Harbhajan makes. I'll tell you why.
11:19We look at Khetarama, Premadasa, we keep talking about spinners.
11:23Take a look at the games that have happened. Zimbabwe, Australia, it was Mojrabani.
11:26It's not those spinning tracks, you know, where the ball spins from the first ball.
11:30It's a slow track, obviously, big round. Spinners will come into the game.
11:34Same goes with the fast bowlers. New fast bowlers will also come into the game.
11:40Very interesting point because he's right. It's not a turning track.
11:43You've seen fast bowlers that have used the cutters very well. I was talking about Mojrabani who did that.
11:47Of course, he was brilliant. Anyone who uses cutters slows it down.
11:51And you know, Arshadeep does that very well. Gumra does it very well. Hardik does it.
11:55In fact, Shivam Dhubei the other day was using cutters very well.
11:57I think you have, you know, spin and fast bowling packed. You know, with all three spinners, what we have
12:05is quality spinners.
12:06They can win game on their own. And even the fast bowlers. Hardik Pandya, you know, we don't count him
12:10as a regular bowler.
12:12But he's as good as any other fast bowler, you know, you're playing for their respective country.
12:16So, I think there's no need to change. There's no need for any panic and bring another spinner.
12:23Yes, although Kuldeep have a brilliant record against Pakistan, but, you know, why change?
12:28You know, if everything goes well for you, why do you want to do that?
12:33So, my belief is just go what working for you.
12:36One thing India will have to change and that is Abhishek Sharma has to come in.
12:40I'll let you know what was said in the press conference. Salman Ali Agha when was asked about Abhishek, he
12:45said,
12:45you know what, I would want him to play because we want to play against the best.
12:49Very positive way of putting it out. Then you heard from Surya Kumar,
12:52he was told Pakistani captain says he wants to play against Abhishek.
12:55He says, okay, if they say they want to play with Abhishek, I guarantee he's playing tomorrow.
13:00So, pretty much he's told us he's playing. Now, what is the message that goes out to Pakistan?
13:03Because he was outstanding in the Asia Cup versus Pakistan, Abhishek.
13:06Oh, yeah, obviously, a big, big player when it comes to games like these. Pressure games, you know, your first
13:13six-over,
13:13you know, kind of set the tone for the game. So, I believe, you know, Abhishek, you know, bring that
13:20X-factor in the team.
13:22You know, he can take anybody on whether it's the fast bowler or the spin department.
13:27I think Abhishek is going to be the key again and he already have a very, very good record against
13:33them.
13:34Their bowler will be under a bit of pressure while bowling to Abhishek, you know, whether he was fit or
13:42not in the previous game.
13:43But they remember the same Abhishek, you know, what gave them those nightmares in Dubai a couple of months back.
13:51Yes, that's true. Okay, Sai Bai, what do you do winning the toss?
13:55Now, India's mantra has been, in T20 cricket, by India, everyone's mantra has been, chase.
13:59But we've seen three games in this particular edition of the World Cup at the Khetarama.
14:04Teams that have batted first have won and that included a night game as well.
14:08Team that batted first won. What should India do if they happen to be in a position to pick at
14:13the toss?
14:15Batted first, if possible. They've been great chasers. But batted first, because I think that's the kind of game that
14:21actually suits somebody like an Ishan Kishan or an Abhishek Sharma if he's fit and available.
14:27That suits them because they can play their normal game. They're not restricted. They're not hampered.
14:33They don't have to think at the back of their minds about an asking rate if India is chasing.
14:37So, I would think that batted first put runs on the board would be the way to go.
14:42Same question to you. It's a tough, tough call to me.
14:46No, it's not a tough call for me. Just do whatever you get to do. Whether you bat first or
14:52bowl first.
14:53In the end, you have to just think positive and go with that mind frame.
14:58India have got great batting line up. At the same time, great match winners in their bowling department.
15:04So, Team India is playing better cricket at the moment than anybody else. Even though they were tested in their
15:10first game against USA.
15:11But somebody else came and did the job for the team. And then it was the other way around in
15:19Delhi. Hardik Pandya doing the job.
15:22So, it doesn't matter toss goes which way but the match should go India's way. That should be the key.
15:27But what would you like India to do if they had to make that call? Sky has won the toss.
15:31What should he do?
15:32Well, I think you have to see the wicket. If the wicket is good, why don't you look to chase
15:39those down?
15:39If you want to put pressure on Pakistan and score 200 plus, that's also a great choice.
15:45The one thing that might help teams decide is there's been no due so far. In fact, I'm standing on
15:51grass right now and I touched it.
15:53No due. I was there at the stadium yesterday, evening time. No due has really set in so far. So,
15:57that makes the decision rather easy.
15:59Sai Bai to you. Finally, before we let you go, look into the crystal ball. Tell us maybe in terms
16:05of percentage, ratio, who wins for you and who stands out for India on the given day?
16:14Well, I won't go down to percentage this way but I'd say India definitely are the favourites. Because they've got
16:21some, you know, tremendous match winners.
16:24In the backing, you've got somebody like, you know, Ishaan Kishanab, Sheikh Sharma, you've got Suri Kumar, Yadav. They are
16:28your match winners.
16:29In the middle order, you've got somebody like a Hardik Pandya with both back and ball. You can change the
16:33complexion of the game.
16:35Chaspreet Pumbra, Varun Chakravarti, these are all names, you know, these are all match winners, game turners.
16:39So, on the other hand, you know, when you look at the Pakistan team, you know, like I said, the
16:45two names that I took…
16:46And maybe you can add Shaheen Shah Afridi to the mix. But therefore, I'd like to think that India are
16:52the favourites, yeah.
16:53Same question to you, Arvajan. What's happening tomorrow? That's the million dollar question. That's what everyone wants to…
16:59What's happening tomorrow? India winning tomorrow. That's all I can say. You know, India got a stronger team, better team.
17:05And, of course, India starts as a favourite. But cricket is a funny game. Anything can happen.
17:10India still need to go out there and play good cricket to get this win. Because these are different ground,
17:17different pitch.
17:18And, of course, they have quality spinner in their side. So, be a little mindful when you're playing against him.
17:25I think India need to tick those small boxes, you know, tomorrow. First six overs, whether bowling or batting, if
17:32they do it right, I think India will be in a great position to win the game.
17:35What do you think has really changed? Because, you know, I was there at Asia Cup. I don't think too
17:39many people were giving Pakistan that much chance.
17:41They said the gap is too huge. Right now also, as you've said, and Mr. Gavaskar has said, that India
17:46go in as the favourite.
17:47But, I somehow get the feeling everyone is saying it's going to be a much closer contest. What's really prompted
17:52Pakistan to bridge that gap? Was that…
17:53Well, I think… No, I think it is basically the conditions. See, India is playing, you know, fearless cricket.
18:01India is playing that kind of a cricket where if they just bat 20 overs, they can get 220, 230.
18:08And I have a bit of my own fear that with the same approach, you can get out at 120,
18:15130.
18:16You know, that can happen any day. You know, we saw that happening in the first game against USA. Everybody
18:23was looking to hit the ball rather than looking to put partnership there.
18:27So, you know, I think approach needs to be, you know, managed tomorrow and see, you know, those single doubles
18:36are as important as those boundaries are.
18:38So, I think India need to be little mindful and place those first six over where the bowl of bat,
18:45you know, first six over will be the key for India.
18:48Okay. You heard it from two of our experts in Harbhajan Singh, Sunny Gavaskar. All the time for talking is
18:54done.
18:54Now is the time for action. A reminder for all the updates, the pre-match build-up as well as
19:01the post-match show.
19:01You need to tune into India today. We'll bring you all the latest from here in Colombo for the moment
19:06from Harbhajan, myself, Mr. Gavaskar.
19:09Thank you so much for watching. Here's a reminder. If you need some more sports-related content, more debates, more
19:14analysis, deep dive into India-Pakistan encounter.
19:17Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel Sports Today. We'll see you there for the moment. Bye-bye from
19:22Colombo.
19:31We'll see you there for the moment.
Comments