'India-Pakistan series will no longer be competitive'

 

India have won each of their eight ODI World Cup appearances: Reuters

When did India-Pakistan play a bilateral series last time?

You can forget. It was 11 years ago. Last time in 2012 the two teams played a bilateral series. After that, they had to wait for the tournament organized by ICC and ACC to watch their matches.

An idea of ​​how much the India-Pakistan series is expected can be seen by looking at the frenzy of the fans surrounding the first match of the World Cup last Saturday. Although the game on the field is not very competitive, the excitement outside the field has not died down yet. So everyone wants to see India-Pakistan series. And even though the World Cup record is one-sided in favor of India, the series between the two teams remains competitive. However, former India opener Gautam Gambhir feels that India-Pakistan series will not be competitive anymore.

India-Pakistan have faced each other 135 times in ODIs. Where Pakistan is quite ahead. Out of 135 matches, Pakistan won 73 times, India won 57 times, and the remaining 5 matches did not result. However, India has won the ODI World Cup eight times. And last 10 shows India won 7 and Pakistan only 2. One match has been abandoned. It is understood that, although Pakistan is ahead, India is currently showing strength.

In the last 10 matches, India won 7 and Pakistan just 2. Photo: Reuters

Because of this power of India, Gambhir says India-Pakistan series will not spread heat like before. "Losing with power" is a term you rarely get to use, he says on Star Sports. That too when you play against Pakistan. If you look at the record, once Pakistan beat India like this. Although for many years now it is IndiaShowing power. This does not augur well for cricket in the subcontinent. We always say India-Pakistan series will be competitive. But the India-Pakistan series will not be competitive anymore, because the gap between the two teams is now too much.
India gave Pakistan some shame last Saturday in Ahmedabad. Pakistan were all out from 155 for 2 wickets to 191 runs that day. India reached the target of 192 runs with 7 wickets and 117 balls in hand. Bumrah bowled 7 overs and took 2 wickets with 19 runs in that match. Kuldeep Yadav also took 2 wickets.

Pakistan not playing their best against India Photo: Reuters

Praising these two bowlers who have brought India regular wickets with the ball in the World Cup, Gambhir said, 'If a captain has Yashprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, it is a luxury for him. Getting 20 overs out of 50 overs, who can bring wickets at any time.