Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has given a huge statement on the India vs Pakistan clash in the upcoming Asia Cup set to happen on September 2. Shastri said that Rohit Sharma and company are the front runners for winning the match. Over the past five meetings across various competitions, India has emerged victorious three times whereas Pakistan has claimed victory twice. Shastri suggests that in recent years Pakistan has narrowed the performance gap between the two teams but they have yet to surpass their neighbors.
The ex-India head coach remarked that the current Indian team is the most formidable since the squad that clinched the 2011 ODI World Cup. Additionally, he showered praise on Rohit Sharma and said that Rohit Sharma has enough capability to lead the team in both the Asia Cup and ODI World Cup.
“I would say India starts as favorites. This is their strongest team since 2011, this mix of players. And a seasoned captain, who understands the terrain better than most. Having said that, Pakistan has narrowed the gap. Seven-eight years (ago), there was a gap if you looked at the strength of both teams and man-to-man. But Pakistan has narrowed it down. They are a very good side, so you have to be on top of your game,” Shastri was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
According to Shastri, the performance of players in the past is irrelevant when it comes to an India-Pakistan match. He emphasized the significance of mental resilience in high-stakes encounters like these, stating that the individual who can maintain composure and handle the pressure effectively will be the one most likely to deliver in such crucial games.
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“It is about who handles pressure better. And never go by form before an India-Pakistan game, because the tough-minded, mentally strong guys might not have done much six months back, but come the India-Pakistan game, they will come (to the fore). They know the importance of that game, they know where it can catapult them if they do well. Their juices will be fired up,” the 61-year-old mentioned.