Gavaskar Claims Even a B-Team from India Could Challenge Pakistan

Pakistan’s early exit from the Champions Trophy has sparked harsh criticism from several cricketing legends. Sunil Gavaskar, the iconic former Indian cricketer, was particularly scathing, stating that Pakistan would struggle to defeat even a weaker Indian team in their current form.

India Dominates in Dubai

On Sunday, India, the 2023 ODI World Cup finalists, continued their dominance over Pakistan, securing a comfortable six-wicket victory in Dubai. The match confirmed India’s strong hold over their bitter rivals, further highlighting the gap between the two sides in recent times.

“I think a B team (from India) certainly can give Pakistan a run for their money,” Gavaskar said during an appearance on Sports Today. “A C team, I’m not too sure, but a B team will be very, very hard to beat for Pakistan in their current form.”

Elimination from the Champions Trophy

Pakistan’s hopes were dashed when New Zealand’s win over Bangladesh meant that Pakistan, the host nation of this ICC event for the first time since 1996, was eliminated from the Champions Trophy. The defeat continues a concerning trend for Pakistan cricket, with their fortunes declining since their 2017 Champions Trophy triumph. In the last two ODI World Cups, Pakistan has finished a disappointing fifth.

Gavaskar Questions Pakistan’s Bench Strength

Gavaskar expressed surprise at Pakistan’s lack of bench strength, a factor that he believes is critical to success at the international level. “Pakistan always had natural talent,” he explained. “They may not have always been technically perfect, but they had an instinctive understanding of bat and ball.”

He referenced the example of Inzamam-ul-Haq, a legendary Pakistani batsman known for his unorthodox stance. “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.”

Domestic Cricket and the Influence of IPL

Despite the rise of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and a strong domestic white-ball competition, Gavaskar noted that Pakistan had struggled to produce a steady stream of world-class talent. In contrast, he highlighted India’s success in nurturing young cricketers through the Indian Premier League (IPL).

“How has India produced so many young stars in white-ball cricket? It’s because of the IPL,” Gavaskar said. “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.”

A Crucial Moment for Pakistan Cricket

Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the Champions Trophy, coupled with concerns about the future of their domestic system, has led to an urgent call for reform. Can Pakistan rebuild its cricketing structure and return to being a competitive force on the global stage? Only time will tell, but the path forward will require addressing these critical issues.

What do you think needs to change in Pakistan’s cricket system? Share your thoughts with us!