Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir believes India are a far more superior team than Pakistan, who will be under a lot of pressure when both teams will meet in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021 in the UAE.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the schedule of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021, to be played from October 17 to November 14. India will lock horns against Pakistan on October 24 in Dubai, which will start both team’s campaigns.
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Gambhir feels both teams would be relieved to get the high-pressure game out of the way early in the tournament.
“Expectations are going to be really high from Pakistan as well, and at the moment, if you see, India is far more superior to Pakistan. Yes, in a T20 format, anyone can beat anyone because it is a very individual kind of format, and we should not take any team for granted.
“For example, you should not take Afghanistan for granted. People like Rashid Khan can create upsets. It’s the same with Pakistan. But, yes, there will be pressure on Pakistan,” Gambhir said while speaking exclusively on Star Sports show Game Plan: ICC T20 WC Schedule.
He admits Group 1 is the group of death, which comprise teams like West Indies, Australia, England and South Africa.
“Group 1 is the group of death, and that’s actually the real group. You’ve got four teams locked in and playing what, on day one of the T20 World Cup, that’s going to be a very exciting Saturday. West Indies have always been very unpredictable with the kind of firepower they’ve got — they can go on to win the third time as well,” he further said.
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“England has also got the firepower; they have probably got the most consistent white-ball team over the last couple of years — after winning the 50-over World Cup. Australia has literally gone off the radar, probably because a lot of main players are missing, but then again, I think they can be very dangerous on that particular day.”
The cricketer-turned-politician calls Afghanistan the real underdog going into the tournament.
“That is one time of the year when you actually want to be at home and celebrate with your family and that is the biggest festival in India. People will be excited, and I hope they will celebrate Diwali with a lot of wins as well. You can’t take Afghanistan lightly as well. I have always been a believer that if you want to talk about one team that is going to be a real underdog in this tournament, that must be Afghanistan. Additionally, they have got people like Rashid Khan, Mujeeb, and Mohd Nabi, you can’t take them, players, lightly,” he concluded.
