
Gautam Gambhir: India Should Prioritize World Cup Victory Over India-Pakistan Match
Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has highlighted the significance of India’s primary goal being to secure victory in the 2023 World Cup rather than solely focusing on their high-stakes match against arch-rivals Pakistan.
In an interview with Star Sports following the India-Nepal Asia Cup clash, Gambhir stressed that the match against Pakistan is just one step towards achieving World Cup success.
Gambhir commented, “England had the last laugh. You go into that tournament not thinking that we have only got to beat Pakistan. And I hope that doesn’t happen in the 50-over World Cup in India as well.”
He continued, “I hope it’s not only about India and Pakistan on October 14. I hope it’s about India playing the World Cup final and lifting the Cup because you never know how many people will be part of the next World Cup from this World Cup team. And it only happens after 4 years.”
Gambhir also looked back at the championship-winning Indian teams from the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, emphasizing that their primary focus was on claiming the ultimate prize, with the Pakistan match considered just one step in their journey.
“In 2007, the T20 World Cup, we started our campaign against Pakistan, we played the final against Pakistan. It was never about Pakistan only. Even in 2011, it was never about Pakistan; Pakistan were just a step. So, when as a broadcaster, as experts, if we stop talking about only India vs. Pakistan and think about winning the World Cup, I think Team India will be in a much better position,” Gambhir stated.
The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan, initially scheduled for October 15, will now take place a day earlier on October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.