ICC T20 World Cup 2016: Sunil Gavaskar believes Pakistan's familiarity with Eden Gardens will hurt India
Legendary Indian batsman and former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar feels that Pakistan’s familiarity with Eden Gardens is going to hurt India in the upcoming match between the two traditional rivals in the ICC World T20 2016. According to Gavaskar, the fact that Pakistan started the tournament with a big win over Bangladesh at Eden Gardens augurs well for them.
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According to a report on NDTV, Gavaskar said, “They have won their first match in Kolkata, and they also played a warm-up game there. So, though India are the home side, it is Pakistan who are more aware of the conditions. And it will be an advantage going into Saturday's match."
Pakistan stormed to a win against Bangladesh in their opening match in the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 after their batsman put up a huge total on the board. However, the day belonged to the Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi who bludgeoned the Bangladesh bowlers to score a quick-fire 49 off just 19 balls and also contributed with the ball by picking up two wickets.
Pakistan next face India in a high-voltage encounter as the men in green will try to break their world cup jinx against their arch-rivals. Pakistan have never beaten India in the world cup in any format. According to Gavaskar, it might act as a motivation for Pakistan.
They would want to prove a point against India
"The fact that Pakistan have never won against India in any World Cup will act as a motivation for them. They would want to prove a point or two against India. Shahid Afridi and the whole team look hungry to do well," he said.
India, on the other hand, have plenty of headaches before the high-octane clash. Despite starting the tournament as favourites, the hosts were thrashed by New Zealand in the opening match. The New Zealand spinners weaved a web around the Indian batsmen and outsmarted the much-vaunted Indian batting line-up. Despite putting up a paltry total of 127 on the board, the Kiwis were able to defend that total as India were skittled out for a meagre 79.
Pakistan’s record at the Eden Gardens is also very impressive. They have never lost a limited-overs game against India at this venue, so they should be super-confident about their chances to beat India in the World Cup this time.
Earlier, the match was scheduled to be played at Dharamshala. However, due to security reasons, the match was shifted to Kolkata and it surely could be a blessing in disguise for the men in green.
It will be interesting to see which of the streaks gets broken. Whether India will lose their first match in a World Cup against Pakistan or Pakistan will lose their first limited-overs game against India at the Eden Gardens, is surely a thing to watch out for in this mega-clash between the two Asian giants.