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Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir stressed that the top priority for the Indian team should be winning the 2023 World Cup, without overly emphasizing on their match against arch-rivals Pakistan.
Gambhir, who was speaking on Star Sports during his stint at the ongoing Asia Cup, felt that the match against Pakistan is “just a step towards winning the World Cup”.
“England had the last laugh (in 2019).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,” said Gambhir.”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 said.
“For us as a nation, for us as fans, for us as broadcasters, everything should not only be focused on India and Pakistan. It’s all about winning the World Cup. Pakistan is just a block. It’s just a step toward winning the World Cup,” he added.
Gambhir also fondly recalled the victorious Indian squads from the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, underscoring that their central emphasis was on attaining the ultimate championship, while regarding the Pakistan match as merely a stepping stone in their journey.
Gambhir, who was speaking on Star Sports during his stint at the ongoing Asia Cup, felt that the match against Pakistan is “just a step towards winning the World Cup”.
“England had the last laugh (in 2019).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,” said Gambhir.”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 said.
“For us as a nation, for us as fans, for us as broadcasters, everything should not only be focused on India and Pakistan. It’s all about winning the World Cup. Pakistan is just a block. It’s just a step toward winning the World Cup,” he added.
Gambhir also fondly recalled the victorious Indian squads from the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, underscoring that their central emphasis was on attaining the ultimate championship, while regarding the Pakistan match as merely a stepping stone 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.
India will play Pakistan on October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, after opening their campaign with the match against Australia in Chennai on October 8.
(With agency inputs)
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