Asia Cup 2023: Ravi Shastri labels India as favourites

Former head coach and Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri has backed the Indain team as favourites ahead of the high- voltage clash against the long standing rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup championship. Even though Shastri believes that India are “favourites” in the match, he cautioned that Pakistan are not to taken lightly as he fees they have done really well in the last six-seven years.

Shastri said to ESPNcricinfo on the eve of the fixture, “I would say India start as favourites. This is their strongest team since 2011, this mix of players. And a captain who is seasoned, who understands the terrain better than most” . Shastri continued by saying that staying composed and in control of your thoughts is essential for success in games with such high stakes and pressure.

Ravi Shastri said, "this is India's strongest team since 2011. They have a captain who is seasoned, who understands the terrain better than most". (Espncricinfo). pic.twitter.com/cmZFu6a7Pw

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 1, 2023

“That’s what’s important, keeping calm and treating it as just another game. And not overhype it in your mind that makes you think differently. Your game has to be the same as it would be in any other game. But because of that subconscious pressure, it’s mentally tough guys who normally get it right,” Shastri said.

Former cricketer put forward that, forms do not necessarily dictate or influence the result of the India-Pakistan clash. “Never go by form before an India-Pakistan game, because the tough-minded, mentally strong guys might not have done much six months back, but come the India-Pakistan game, they will come. They know the importance of that game, they know where it can catapult them if they do well.”