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India recorded a comfortable win over Pakistan in their group match of the Champions Trophy triggering a discussion over the gulf between the two opponents.
Virat Kohli (18) scored a sparkling century to seal an easy win for India in Dubai. (AP Photo)
Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has been scathing in his criticism of Pakistan‘s ODI team, claiming that on current form, they will even lose to India’s B team. Gavaskar’s comments have come in wake of India‘s comfortable six-wicket win over Pakistan in a Champions Trophy 2025 clash in Dubai last Sunday.
India thus maintained their domination over Pakistan having secured their 8th win in last 10 completed ODIs against Pakistan. Interestingly, all of Indian victories have been by dominant margins and thus exposing the wide gulf between the two sides.
“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,” Gavaskar said on Sports Today.
With New Zealand beating Bangladesh on Monday night, knocked out Pakistan from the Champions Trophy semifinals race. The Mohammad Rizwan-led side has lost both their matches so far. They next take on Bangladesh in an inconsequential contest.
Gavaskar is also surprised Pakistan’s lack of bench strength.
“I think it’s surprising-this lack of bench strength. Pakistan always had natural talent. Natural in the sense that they may not have always been technically correct, but they had an instinctive understanding of bat and ball,” Gavaskar said.
“Look at Inzamam-ul-Haq, for example. If you look at his stance, you wouldn’t recommend that to a young batter, but he had great temperament. With that kind of temperament, he made up for any technical shortcomings,” he added.
Gavaskar also pointed out how IPL has contributed towards the growth of Indian cricket whereas Pakistan, despite the PSL and other domestic white-ball competitions, continues to lag behind.
“How has India produced so many young stars in white-ball cricket? It’s because of the IPL Players from there have gone on to play in the Ranji Trophy and eventually for India. That is something Pakistan cricket must analyse. They need to figure out why they no longer have the bench strength they once did,” Gavaskar said.
