Much ahead of the beginning of the all-important ICC T20 World Cup 2021, former Indian cricketer, Gautam Gambhir has stated that Virat Kohli led India has an edge over arch-rivals Pakistan in the upcoming showpiece event. Gambhir was quick to add that India must not take any side in the world for granted in the tournament.
India will begin its campaign of the World Cup locking horns against Pakistan on 24th October at Dubai International Stadium. Both the teams are placed in Group 2 of Super 12s. New Zealand, Afghanistan and two qualifiers of Round 1 will join India and Pakistan in Group 2.
“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,” Gambhir told Star Sports.
The 2011 World Cup-winning cricketer further said that underestimating any country in T20 format will be a big mistake. The flow of the matches changes in a course of a few minutes and one player can create a big upset for the opposite team.
“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,” he said.
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India was the winner of the inaugural T20 World Cup 2007, held in South Africa. Pakistan went on to win the second season of the T20 World Cup in 2009.
Gambhir reckons Afghanistan as the real underdogs in the tournament. Having players like Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi, other teams cant take them lightly.
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 lightly.”
The T20 World Cup 2021 will begin on 17th October however the first match of the Super 12s will begin on 23rd October.
Group 1 comprises Australia, South Africa, England, West Indies and two teams from Round 1.
“That’s actually the real group. You have 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,” Gambhir said.
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