Shastri was recently asked about India's current head coach Gautam Gambhir's comments in which the latter called for the India-Pakistan game to be treated as just another game in the tournament. The former India head coach claimed that such answers are just for the media.
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“I was the coach for seven years. Whenever I was asked, I said the same thing (as Gambhir). But let me assure you, deep down, there's a lot more to that than you actually think, that's for the media,” Ravi Shastri said.
The former India allrounder believes that people won't look into the past records when it comes to India-Pakistan matches. According to him, the players will be reminded of the defeat even if they win all and lose just one match.
Ravi Shastri picks his favorite for India-Pakistan clash
Further speaking on the rivalry, Ravi Shastri felt that India-Pakistan matches are different as everyone gets involved. He also feels that the ODI format suits India more and they will go into the match as favorites.
“No, that won't play on their mind because that was a T20 game (on India's T20 World Cup 2021 defeat to Pakistan). This is a 50-over clash. It's totally different. And it's a longer game which suits India more. India is a far better side and far more experienced as well,” he reckoned.
When will the India-Pakistan match be played?
On the other hand, India will open its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai. Both India and Pakistan are in Group A alongside Bangladesh and New Zealand. The tournament will be played in a hybrid model in Pakistan and Dubai.
While all the teams will play in Pakistan, India's matches will be held in Dubai after the BCCI refused to send their team to Pakistan due to the refusal of the Indian government. It will also be Gautam Gambhir's first India-Pakistan match as the head coach.
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