Overview:
Sourav Ganguly discussed the upcoming India-Pakistan T20 clash, where he believes India will be the clear favourites.
Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian skipper known for his bold opinions, once again made his voice heard on the ongoing debate surrounding the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash in 2026. With the match set to take place on February 15, Ganguly is thrilled that the much-anticipated encounter is going ahead despite the political tensions. He expressed his joy at seeing the Indo-Pak contest confirmed, especially after the recent drama involving the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and their threats to boycott the tournament following Bangladesh’s removal.
In a recent interview with India Today, Sourav Ganguly discussed the upcoming India-Pakistan T20 clash, where he believes India will be the clear favourites. However, Ganguly didn’t rule out the chance of a surprise result, given the unpredictable nature of the T20 format.
“I’ve said it before: India is an incredibly strong team. In my view, India are the favourites. However, in T20 cricket, anything can happen. Pakistan will need to perform exceptionally well to defeat India, as they are a formidable side,” Sourav Ganguly said.
Sourav Ganguly didn’t hesitate to address concerns about Pakistan’s spinner Usman Tariq. He pointed out, “Batters from the Indian subcontinent are skilled at playing spin. Indian batter have always handled spin effectively, so they’ll manage it just fine,” he added.
“Matches are decided on the field. I’m really happy that the India-Pakistan game is taking place, and it absolutely should. I’ve mentioned before that sports and politics should be kept separate, and sports should remain focused on the game itself. It’s crucial that this match happens,” he added.
When asked about India’s combination for the upcoming match, Sourav Ganguly highlighted Sanju Samson as a capable replacement for Abhishek Sharma. With Sharma still recovering from a stomach issue sustained earlier in the tournament, Ganguly feels Samson could seamlessly slot into the side.
“The team combination is set. India’s squad is well-balanced that no changes are necessary for the match. If Abhishek Sharma is fit, he will replace Sanju. Otherwise, everything remains the same, and Sanju will play,” he mentioned.
“Sanju is a talented player as well. It’s crucial to give him some opportunities, because no player should be under the pressure of being dropped after just two failures,” he concluded.