T20 World Cup | Three days to Colombo: Advantage Pakistan, but favourites India

Despite the advantage, Pakistan still isn't the favourite to beat India, says Majumdar

• India vs Pakistan T20 clash in Colombo draws intense anticipation
• Pakistan gains edge with two weeks in Colombo; India arrives post Namibia match
• India remains favorites despite Pakistan's familiarity with conditions

Did our AI summary help?

The India Pakistan game is three days away and already the talk is about the mega spectacle in Colombo. Ahead of it, India has a game against Namibia in Delhi but most are treating it as a formality. May I say this is the best chance for Pakistan to cause an upset and beat India if they can. They have been in Colombo for a good two weeks and know the conditions well. India on the other hand will travel to Colombo from Delhi on the 13th after playing Namibia on the 12th. Accordingly, all that the Indians will get is one strong practice session on the 14th. Contrast this with Pakistan and you will know how much Pakistan is better versed going into the game.

Despite this, however, Pakistan aren’t favourites. India are a fantastic T-20 side and despite the fitness issues and schedule, still start as firm favourites going into this game. And Pakistan, despite a relatively comfortable win against the USA, still have their own issues to deal with. I think the biggest issue for Pakistan is Babar Azam. He may have scored 46 of 32 balls against the USA but his first 25 runs literally came of a run a ball. You can get away doing this against the US but you certainly can’t do this against India and win. Babar is the biggest weak link in the Pakistan middle order and India will know it well. The skipper Salman Ali Agha hasn’t scored in the first two games either and will also be feeling the pressure. Surya on the other hand is in a great mental frame post the USA knock and will take the confidence into the match against Pakistan.

The other thing that will work for India is the return of Jasprit Bumrah. He bowled full tilt in Delhi at practice and is one bowler who will deliver in any condition anywhere in the world. He completes the Indian attack and in conditions where the bowlers have a little help from the surface, he will be the one to go to for Surya if there is pressure. How Pakistan negotiates Bumrah and also Arshdeep will be interesting to see upfront. For them Farhan and Saim have looked good in the game against USA and in the absence of an explosive middle order will have the responsibility to set things up at the top.

My own assumption is it will be a good game of cricket. India is a much better team but that advantage will be nullified to an extent by Pakistan’s familiarity with the conditions in Colombo. That’s where things will be evened out somewhat and make things interesting. Support wise it could well be more blue than green with Indian fans outdoing every other fan army as always.

Against the backdrop of what has transpired, there will be huge interest in the game and the build up will be intense. While players will say it is just another game, it really isn’t. The politics will ensure that it isn’t and that’s what will make it the spectacle that it will eventually be.