NEW DELHI: Former Australia pacer and ex-Pakistan Test coach Jason Gillespie has dismissed Sunil Gavaskar‘s claim that an Indian B team could challenge and potentially defeat the current Pakistan side. Gavaskar made the remark after India’s dominant win over Pakistan in their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group A clash in Dubai, further fueling concerns about the rivalry becoming one-sided.
Speaking to Sports Today, Gavaskar had said, “I think a B team (from India) certainly (can give Pakistan a run for their money). C team, I am not too sure. But a B team will be very, very hard to beat for Pakistan in their current form.”
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Gillespie, however, strongly rejected this notion, calling it “absolute nonsense.” He insisted that Pakistan has the talent to compete with any side if given proper backing. “I don’t buy this rhetoric. I saw some comments from Sunil Gavaskar about the Indian B team or Indian C team beating the Pakistan top team. That’s nonsense. Absolute nonsense,” Gillespie said.
He emphasised that Pakistan’s main issue isn’t a lack of talent but inconsistency in selection and lack of patience from the management. “Pakistan need to pick and stick with the right players and give them time to shine, to learn, and develop their games. They can beat anyone, I’ve got no doubt about that. They’ve got the high-end talent, but they just need to pick the right ones, support them, and be patient,” he added.
Pakistan’s campaign ended in disappointment as they finished last in Group A after defeats to India and New Zealand. Their squad selection has come under scrutiny, with many questioning the decision to pick just one frontline spinner and the absence of solid openers.
Gillespie, who resigned as Pakistan’s red-ball coach before the team’s Test series against South Africa, blamed the management, particularly interim head coach Aaqib Javed and the selection committee, for the team’s struggles.
“If the PCB wants change and wants results to improve, they need to get the right people in place, get the right players on the bus, get the right selection panel in place, and back them. Be patient with them and let them do their jobs,” he said.
He further criticised the short-term approach towards coaching appointments, suggesting that instability is hindering the team’s progress. “Same goes with the coaches. If you’re going to give a coach an opportunity, give them an opportunity to really build something meaningful. Otherwise, the results are going to stay the same,” Gillespie remarked.