No threat to India from Pakistan pacers: Gambhir
Pakistan pacers have managed to subdue the rival batsmen en route the Champions Trophy final but Gautam Gambhir does not see them posing any serious threat to Indian batsmen in the title clash.
The Pakistani attack, comprising the likes of Mohammed Amir, Junaid Khan and Hasan Ali, has gone from strength to strength. They were exceptional against Sri Lanka and very impressive against England in the semifinals.
Gambhir is of the view that for Pakistani pacers to make an impact on Sunday in London, help from the conditions is imperative.
“For years the IndiaPakistan contest has been a battle between India’s batting and Pakistan bowling. Earlier, it used to be Shoaib (Akhtar) and Umar Gul vs us and now Amir is their best bowler. Given the flat nature of wickets in the competition so far I don’t see any threat for India. Maybe Amir can do something out of ordinary, conditions permitting,” said Gambhir.
As far as India’s attack is concerned, Gambhir felt that it’s time that paceman Umesh Yadav be brought back in the playing eleven.
Spinner R Ashwin replaced Yadav in the team after first two matches in the group stage.
“I know it is a tricky one but given that the Oval pitch has bounce I would be tempted to play Umesh. Besides, any subcontinental team is generally comfortable against spin which is another reason why I would prefer Umesh although Ashwin too is a fantastic competitor,” Gambhir felt. There has always been a lot of hype associated with India-Pakistan matches. This Pakistani side does not have many stars. In the past, there have always been contests within contests like between a Sachin Tendulkar and fearsome Shoaib Akhtar. So does this final still makes an exciting contest, without having many star or celebrated players in Pakistani the line-up? “I think the game is between two teams, two countries and not individuals. It surely is a mouthwatering finale, something that every player looks forward to. I remember playing Pakistan in the finals of T20 World Cup in 2007 and ended up scoring highest runs for India. “I didn’t realise the magnitude of that innings till I met a few soldiers of Indian army at an event in Delhi weeks later. They were posted in Kashmir and one of them had fought in Kargil too. They told me how proud they were of our 2007 T20 World Cup win.”