India Vs Pakistan: ‘Will probably be a one-sided sport’: Harbhajan Singh calls India vs Pakistan an ‘overhyped’ conflict at Champions Trophy | Cricket Information

NEW DELHI: Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has dismissed the hype across the much-anticipated India-Pakistan conflict within the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, calling it an “overhyped sport” and predicting that India will dominate their arch-rivals in Dubai on February 23. India, positioned in Group A, will face co-hosts Pakistan of their second match of the match, which begins on February 19.
Harbhajan, talking on his YouTube channel, pointed to India’s superior squad power and Pakistan’s current inconsistency to help his declare that the sport is unlikely to be aggressive. “This India-Pakistan sport is an overhyped sport as a result of there’s nothing in it. India is a really robust group. Pakistan not too long ago misplaced in opposition to New Zealand whereas enjoying at house. Pakistan is a really inconsistent group, and in the event you have a look at their statistics and evaluate them with Indian batsmen and bowlers, you’re going to get a transparent image,” he acknowledged.
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Whereas acknowledging that previous performances don’t assure future outcomes, Harbhajan reiterated his stance that India are far superior. “Once I have a look at each groups, the distinction may be very excessive. India’s group appears to be like too robust. Pakistan’s group seems weak aside from Babar [Azam] and [Mohammad] Rizwan. If we discuss Babar and Rizwan, then aside from them, no different batsman stands out. Their bowling unit can be not in type.”
Harbhajan, nonetheless, recognized Fakhar Zaman as a key participant for Pakistan who may pose a risk to India. “I’ve taken out some statistics. Their important batsman, Babar, has a mean of 31 in opposition to India. A prime batsman ought to have a mean round 50. Rizwan has a mean of 25 in opposition to India. Fakhar is the one opener who has a stable common of 46. He can take the sport away from India. However past that, their batting doesn’t encourage confidence. Faheem Ashraf’s common is 12.5, and Saud Shakeel’s is simply six in opposition to India. Once I have a look at that batting lineup, I don’t really feel assured that this group can combat in opposition to India.”

The previous cricketer additionally identified that the majority of India’s key gamers are in robust type forward of the match. “India may be very robust. Rohit [Sharma] has simply scored runs, [Shubman] Gill has scored runs, Axar Patel is in type. [Virat] Kohli not too long ago scored a fifty. Though he’s not within the type we’re used to seeing, I imagine he’ll succeed as a result of he all the time performs in massive tournaments. KL Rahul’s type can be good.”
Harbhajan additional in contrast the groups’ current performances, emphasising that India’s bowling assault is in good rhythm. “If we have a look at our bowlers, their type is nice. We not too long ago defeated England in a house sequence, whereas Pakistan misplaced to New Zealand at house. New Zealand will play Pakistan of their opening match, and I feel New Zealand will defeat them as soon as once more as a result of they know the best way to bat first and set a powerful complete. Pakistan gained an ODI sequence in Australia, which ought to have given them confidence, however they haven’t regarded completely different since. Rizwan’s captaincy is nice, his intent is nice, however perhaps the gamers they’ve should not robust sufficient. Babar has not scored runs, and though Rizwan and Salman Agha have hit centuries right here and there, the group doesn’t encourage confidence. Even in Pakistan, their former gamers say that India is much forward.”

He additionally touched on the excessive ticket costs for the match, suggesting that followers might not get the aggressive encounter they anticipate. “The costs of tickets have elevated lots, however I do not assume the sport shall be as thrilling as individuals are anticipating. On this overhyped sport on February 23, I feel it will likely be a one-sided sport.”
Wanting past the marquee conflict, Harbhajan expressed his perception that India are robust contenders to win the match and likewise praised Afghanistan as a possible darkish horse. “India is much forward on this match-up and is a really succesful group that may win this Champions Trophy. The opposite group I feel will play very effectively on this match is Afghanistan, as they’ll thrive in these circumstances.”
India shall be aiming to seize their third Champions Trophy title, whereas Pakistan, the defending champions from the 2017 version, will look to show their critics flawed. Nevertheless, in line with Harbhajan Singh, the hole between the 2 groups is just too giant for an upset to occur.