India vs. Pakistan – one for the ages in Ahmedabad

India will face Pakistan for the eighth time in the ODI World Cup on October 14.

India vs. Pakistan – one for the ages in Ahmedabad

Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam (via the Mint)

The heat is on. No, one is not talking about the dry bulb reading in Ahmedabad but the mother of all battles being hyped up. India vs. Pakistan may seem like an old record disc being played again and again. Yet, none gets tired of hearing it. The Saturday afternoon madness which will be on view from the Narendra Modi stadium will be crazy. Tickets are not there, all gone. One hopes the stadium with a capacity of almost 1,10,000 will be full. They will shout, cheer and do all it takes to support Rohit Sharma and the entire gang.

For Pakistan, the pressure is intense. Babar Azam is amongst ruins, not runs. However, he is a big-match player and will prefer to peak against India. There was a lot of suspense over why Ahmedabad was chosen as a venue for this high-voltage contest. Why not? Ahmedabad is the new cricket capital, out goes Eden Gardens of old fame.

YouTube video

Those who have been inside the Narendra Modi Stadium, including this writer, will tell you how magnificent it is. It is a piece of marvel from an architectural angle. Maybe, the pitch is under a cloud but the men in charge are under the ICC supervision. Runs and tons should be the theme is what fans are praying for.
Reams have been written about the boy who is battling dengue, Shubman Gill. Gill reached Ahmedabad but there is no way he can play. He is still weak and the recovery process will be long.

As it is, India has shown their batting is robust and can flow. From the top, if one sees, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul have showcased their talent. How does one forget the vice-captain, Hardik Pandya, who has adopted this city as his second home? The Gujarat Titans captain has led two brilliant campaigns in Ahmedabad. He will be eager to showcase his all-round skills. After all, there is a paucity of all-rounders these days. It is good India have been able to experiment with their bowling. Boom Boom Bumrah has rocked, plus the spinners, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and R. Ashwin are dangerous. Will skipper Rohit bolster the batting or prefer three spinners, one has to wait.

Also Read: “The third umpire needs to resign ASAP”- Netizens slam third umpire after controversial decisions dismiss Marcus Stoinis, Steve Smith against South Africa

India is unbeaten against Pakistan in ODI World Cup history

India are in good health, Gill aside. The team has been hyped as favorites. Surely, they know how to handle the pressure. In the good old days, when speedsters like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and then enfant terrible Shoaib Akhtar were in action, the Indian batting order (batters now) was worried. Not any longer. On placid pitches, these Pak bowlers cannot scare India with sheer pace. If their current speedsters show swing and seam movement, it will be a different story. Ahmedabad is a venue which should be packed for all reasons. This battle has been hyped like a war between two nations. However, that is carrying it too far.

India vs Pakistan Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma scored a century during India vs. Pakistan at the 2019 World Cup (ICC)

From a security angle, this city is under almost a lockdown of sorts. Gujarat and the city of Ahmedabad are well aware of the risks in store as India vs Pak is massive. Nothing will be left to chance and security outside will be like guarding a fortress. Inside the arena, there will be no need for security when the men share the battle in the 22-yard strip. There will be stare and glare, there will be tense moments. Yet, India and Pakistan on the cricket pitch no longer behave like tyros.

You can expect all kinds of fireworks. For the 50-over format to enthrall is like stating the obvious. This is a cricket contest where players will do anything for their country. If the Asia Cup was a teaser last month, India shone. And how does one not mention the 5-0 record which India has against Pakistan in the World Cup? For a change in the script will be against the grain.

Bring out the national flag, paint your faces with the tricolor. You got to cheer Team India. We have heard many people say winning this match is more important than winning the World Cup. That’s not true, though. India needs the World Cup as well on November 19. Go full tilt!

In case you missed it: