Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir believes that India’s sole focus should be winning the 2023 World Cup over just their game against Pakistan. Despite Team India begin their campaign against Australia on October 8, many discussions have already been centred around the Pakistan match a few days later. Gambhir played match-winning knocks in the final of India’s T20 World Cup 2007 and the 2011 ODI World Cup win as well.
Speaking to Star Sports after the India-Nepal Asia Cup clash, Gambhir said, “England had the last laugh. You go into that tournament not thinking that we have only got to beat Pakistan. And I hope that doesn’t happen in the 50-over World Cup in India as well. I hope it’s not only about India and Pakistan on October 14. I hope it’s about India playing the World Cup final and lifting the Cup, because you never know how many people will be part of the next World Cup from this World Cup team. And it only happens after 4 years.”
The veteran even urged the fans and the broadcasters to focus more on India’s winning the World Cup title than the Pakistan tie as well. Meanwhile, the much-awaited India-Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup was washed out due to rain, with both teams sharing a point as well. However, both teams qualified from Group A to the Super Fours, where they will take on each other on Sunday, September 10.
“For us as a nation, for us as fans, for us as broadcasters, everything should not only be focused on India and Pakistan. It’s all about winning the World Cup. Pakistan is just a block. It’s just a step toward winning the World Cup. In 2007, the T20 World Cup, we started our campaign against Pakistan, we played the final against Pakistan. It was never about Pakistan only. Even in 2011, it was never about Pakistan, Pakistan were just a step. So, when as a broadcaster, as experts, if we stop talking about only India vs Pakistan and think about winning the World Cup, I think Team India will be in a much better position,” concluded Gautam Gambhir.
