NEW DELHI: Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has dismissed the hype around the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, calling it an “overhyped game” and predicting that India will dominate their arch-rivals in Dubai on February 23. India, placed in Group A, will face co-hosts Pakistan in their second match of the tournament, which begins on February 19.
Harbhajan, speaking on his YouTube channel, pointed to India’s superior squad strength and Pakistan’s recent inconsistency to support his claim that the game is unlikely to be competitive. “This India-Pakistan game is an overhyped game because there is nothing in it. India is a very strong team. Pakistan recently lost against New Zealand while playing at home. Pakistan is a very inconsistent team, and if you look at their statistics and compare them with Indian batsmen and bowlers, you will get a clear picture,” he stated.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
While acknowledging that past performances do not guarantee future results, Harbhajan reiterated his stance that India are far superior. “When I look at both teams, the difference is very high. India’s team looks too strong. Pakistan’s team appears weak apart from Babar [Azam] and [Mohammad] Rizwan. If we talk about Babar and Rizwan, then apart from them, no other batsman stands out. Their bowling unit is also not in form.”
Harbhajan, however, identified Fakhar Zaman as a key player for Pakistan who could pose a threat to India. “I have taken out some statistics. Their main batsman, Babar, has an average of 31 against India. A top batsman should have an average around 50. Rizwan has an average of 25 against India. Fakhar is the only opener who has a solid average of 46. He can take the game away from India. But beyond that, their batting does not inspire confidence. Faheem Ashraf’s average is 12.5, and Saud Shakeel’s is just six against India. When I look at that batting lineup, I do not feel confident that this team can fight against India.”
The former cricketer also pointed out that most of India’s key players are in strong form ahead of the tournament. “India is very strong. Rohit [Sharma] has just scored runs, [Shubman] Gill has scored runs, Axar Patel is in form. [Virat] Kohli recently scored a fifty. Although he is not in the form we are used to seeing, I believe he will succeed because he always performs in big tournaments. KL Rahul’s form is also good.”
Harbhajan further compared the teams’ recent performances, emphasising that India’s bowling attack is in good rhythm. “If we look at our bowlers, their form is good. We recently defeated England in a home series, while Pakistan lost to New Zealand at home. New Zealand will play Pakistan in their opening match, and I think New Zealand will defeat them once again because they know how to bat first and set a strong total. Pakistan won an ODI series in Australia, which should have given them confidence, but they have not looked different since. Rizwan’s captaincy is good, his intent is good, but maybe the players they have are not strong enough. Babar has not scored runs, and although Rizwan and Salman Agha have hit centuries here and there, the team does not inspire confidence. Even in Pakistan, their former players say that India is far ahead.”
He also touched on the high ticket prices for the match, suggesting that fans may not get the competitive encounter they expect. “The prices of tickets have increased a lot, but I don’t think the game will be as exciting as people are expecting. In this overhyped game on February 23, I think it will be a one-sided game.”
Looking beyond the marquee clash, Harbhajan expressed his belief that India are strong contenders to win the tournament and also praised Afghanistan as a potential dark horse. “India is far ahead in this match-up and is a very capable team that can win this Champions Trophy. The other team I think will play very well in this tournament is Afghanistan, as they will thrive in these conditions.”
India will be aiming to capture their third Champions Trophy title, while Pakistan, the defending champions from the 2017 edition, will look to prove their critics wrong. However, according to Harbhajan Singh, the gap between the two teams is simply too large for an upset to happen.