Key Highlights
- Sunil Gavaskar believes it is ‘impossible’ for India to lose against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup match today.
- The India-Pakistan match is scheduled to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Gavaskar predicts quick drying of the outfield due to weather conditions in Colombo.
- India holds a clear historical advantage over Pakistan in men’s T20 cricket.
The Cricket Match That Can’t Be Lost?
Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian cricketer and commentator, is unequivocal about India’s prospects against Pakistan. He believes that today’s match in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for the T20 World Cup 2026, can only have one outcome: a victory for India. But why does he think so?
Weather Woes and Weather Gods
Colombo has been a notorious ground for weather-related interruptions in cricket. However, Gavaskar seems confident that the “weather gods” will smile upon them today. He notes that while it may rain, showers typically pass quickly, allowing the outfield to dry swiftly.
This is crucial because, as he points out, “here, the outfield dries very quickly. It becomes dry quite fast, so there shouldn’t be any problem because of that.” This means that even if the match starts late or with some interruptions, it should proceed smoothly.
India’s Stronger Team
Gavaskar goes beyond weather concerns to discuss India’s overall strength. He argues that, “if you look at the skill level as well, player for player, team against team, India appear stronger.” This is a significant statement considering the history between these two nations in cricket. Gavaskar highlights several Indian players who he believes can make a difference: Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy.
He contrasts this with Pakistan’s “mental block” due to their history of losing close matches against India. “They have a ‘mental block’ due to losing several close matches in the past,” Gavaskar states. This psychological edge is another factor that, according to him, tilts the balance in favor of India.
Historical Evidence
To back his claim, Gavaskar cites historical data. The article mentions that across 16 T20 internationals between India and Pakistan, India have secured 13 victories while Pakistan have won only 3. This statistic is particularly telling given the T20 World Cup context.
Further, in previous T20 World Cup encounters, India have won 7 out of 8 matches against Pakistan.
While Gavaskar acknowledges that there’s always a chance for unexpected results—given the nature of T20 cricket—he firmly believes India holds a significant edge. “Still, we may talk about the possibility of winning in terms of percentage since it’s a T20 match. India must have at least a 70% chance of winning,” he concludes.
The India vs Pakistan clash is more than just a game; it’s a battle between two cricketing giants with deep-rooted histories and intense rivalries. Sunil Gavaskar’s prediction, while bold, reflects the historical context and current form that make this match particularly intriguing for cricket fans worldwide.
