Follow UsFormer India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin said that the Indian team is not under as much pressure as Pakistan when the two clash on the field. India take on Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai on February 23, which is expected to be yet another sell-out clash.
India have had the wood over Pakistan in the recent past. In fact, the Men in Blue have not lost an ODI against their neighbours since 2017.
“At present, whenever India and Pakistan play against each other, the Indian team is not under that much pressure as compared to what Pakistan team experiences. The Indian team is much more relaxed when there is a match against Pakistan at present," Ashwin said on his Youtube channel Ash ki Baat.
"The Pakistan team is under much more pressure, and it is visible as one sees their players. It seems that they are playing under a lot of pressure. It’s a bit sad but I think this Pakistan team has the quality and they can do something. If it’s their day, they can outperform India."
Ashwin believes India, New Zealand, England and South Africa will be in the semi-final. He also believes India are favourites to go all the way despite picking five spinners.
“This Indian team is a champion material team. I only have my reservations about five spinners in the squad. This is the team that has got the meat to be champions and there is a chance to win an ICC tournament for the second consecutive time," Ashwin said.
“It’s an early call. But I feel that if India wins the toss twice in Dubai, then India or New Zealand playing in the final is the highest. This is an early call, but I think India will be in the final. My four qualifying teams will be India, New Zealand, England and South Africa. Afghanistan has got an outside chance. Champions Trophy has always seen surprises."
Pakistan go into the tournament as defending champions, having beaten India in the final in 2017 at The Oval in 2017.