Mumbai, February 22: Jatin Paranjape, the former India cricketer and national selector, believes though the Rohit Sharma-led side will be quietly optimistic of winning their much-anticipated Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan, they would remain watchful of Mohammad Rizwan & Co due to their unpredictability factor. On Sunday, the environment in the 2025 Champions Trophy will hit a crescendo when India take on Pakistan in a highly anticipated Group A clash, to be played in front of a sell-out crowd at the Dubai International Stadium. The two teams last met in an ODI game at the 2023 World Cup in Ahmedabad, with tournament hosts India winning by seven wickets. Two Arch-Rivals Face Off in Dubai Tomorrow: India Aim To Avenge ICC Champions Trophy 2017 Final, Pakistan Seeks To Keep Title Defence Alive.

슬롯사이트India will go into the game against Pakistan in a very watchful manner. I don슬롯사이트t think they will be in an overconfident frame of mind because Pakistan are a very unpredictable team. So, India will be quietly confident - that슬롯사이트s how I would put it.슬롯사이트�

슬롯사이트This stems from their recent series win against England, where Rohit Sharma scored some runs. So, I think they will be quietly optimistic, but they will also be watchful at the same time,슬롯사이트� said Paranjape, currently a member of BCCI슬롯사이트s Cricket Advisory Committee, and co-founder of KheloMore, in an exclusive conversation with IANS.

Sunday슬롯사이트s match in Dubai will write another thrilling chapter in the epic India-Pakistan rivalry, as well as significantly impacting both teams슬롯사이트� future in the eight-team tournament. A win for India would put them on the cusp of entering the semi-finals, while another loss for Pakistan would lead them to an early exit. Virat Kohli Stats in IND vs PAK ICC Champions Trophy Matches: Know How Indian Star Batter Has Fared Against Arch-Rival Ahead of India vs Pakistan CT 2025 Cricket Match.

슬롯사이트These matches are all huge marquee/derby games where the atmosphere is so electric and charged up that it tends to bring out the best in players as well. So, I would not be surprised if it is a nail-biting game. But I think India will win,슬롯사이트� added Paranjape.

In-form India vice-captain Shubman Gill hit an unbeaten 101, his second successive ODI century, as he led the way in chasing down a tricky 229 against Bangladesh in Dubai with 21 balls to spare. According to Paranjape, Gill, the top-ranked ODI batter, taking the responsibility to guide India home in run chases is an excellent sign, and even claimed that he can be the side슬롯사이트s next captain.

슬롯사이트It is interesting to see how he is now taking the onus of seeing the team home in these chases. I noticed this new studious approach in him right from the Australian tour, where he was ready to transition into the role of a senior player. I think that is a great sign for Indian cricket, and at some level, Shubman Gill will also be looked at as the next captain of India.슬롯사이트�

Paranjape further believes Mohammed Shami슬롯사이트s strong spell of 5-53 against Bangladesh, following a 14-month recovery from Achilles tendon surgery and knee swelling, bodes well for India ahead of the clash against Pakistan. India vs Pakistan ICC Champions Trophy History: A Look at Past Results, Records and Top Performers of IND vs PAK Matches Ahead of Mega Match in CT 2025.

슬롯사이트Shami has been bowling well, and also had a tough domestic season under his belt. So, I think it was a great performance from Shami ahead of the India-Pakistan game. Let슬롯사이트s not forget that we do not have Bumrah, so Shami becomes the senior bowler in the team.슬롯사이트�

Quizzed on any particular areas India should sharpen up ahead of the clash against Pakistan, Paranjape signed off by suggesting the side should look to include left-handed wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant in their playing eleven.

Pant currently finds himself on the sidelines as KL Rahul is India슬롯사이트s preferred wicketkeeper-batter. 슬롯사이트I think they need to get the combination right. They need to play Pant. I think if Pant does not play, India are not playing its best XI - I want to make that very clear.슬롯사이트�

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 22, 2025 02:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).