India vs Pakistan: Former Indian opener Gambhir says India has to be consistent for 100 overs to win

PakiWith eyes set on the most awaited match between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan at Narendra Modi Stadium, former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir said it is essential for India to not underestimate its neighbour and stay consistent for 100 overs of the marquee World Cup match since Pakistan also has match-winners.

"Pakistan is also a good team. They also have match winners. I am sure that the Indian team will stay alert. They have to play quality cricket for 100 overs, only then they can win this match. India is a better team, but they will have to play great cricket to earn a victory," Gambhir, former Indian opener, told ANI.

India won the toss and decided to bowl first against Pakistan in the World Cup match.

On a positive note, India's star batter Shubman Gill's has returned to the pitch after he missed two beginning matches of the ICC World Cup 2023 after being down with Dengue.

“Gill is back in place of Ishan, unfortunate for Ishan to miss out, feel for him, he stepped up when we needed him. Gill has been a special player for us over the past year or so, especially at this ground and we wanted him back,” said Rohit Sharma, India's captain, as the crowd shouted loudly on Gill being in the playing eleven.

Past clashes of rivals
The Men in Blue will be keen to extend their seven-match winning streak against Pakistan in ODI World Cup while the latter will be looking to end improve their record.

Pakistan has never beaten India at the Cricket World Cup. Even when Pakistan won its only title in 1992 it lost to India in Sydney.

Pakistan broke the streak in T20 World Cups in 2021 by dishing out a 10-wicket beating.

Two-time champions India have a perfect 7-0 record against Pakistan in the 50-overs World Cup and are also the top-ranked ODI team, who have won both their games in the tournament so far.

But Pakistan have also won their opening two matches, and Babar is approaching the tournament's most-anticipated clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world's largest cricket venue, with a complete disregard for the past.

"I don't think about the past, I'd rather focus on future," Pakistan's captain Babar told reporters.

India registered a comprehensive win against Pakistan in the Asia Cup last month.

Pacers of India and Pakistan
While the Indian pace attack has fearsome names like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur and Hardik Pandya, Pakistan's pace attack also has developed expectations because of performances and high pace of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali and Naseem Shah.

Overall, the Indian pace attack has taken 21 wickets among five players, giving away 630 runs at an economy rate of 6.2 overs in 101 overs.

Squads:
India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.

(With agency inputs)