Ganguly Declares: India Are Clear Favourites Against Pakistan in T20 World Cup
Sourav Ganguly expresses delight at the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match and stresses separating sports from politics.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed strong support for the upcoming India-Pakistan clash in the T20 World Cup 2026, stressing that sports should remain separate from political tensions. Speaking ahead of the high-profile match scheduled for February 15, Ganguly said he was “extremely happy” the fixture would go ahead despite recent controversies.
Ganguly reiterated his long-held view that cricketing ties should continue irrespective of diplomatic differences between the two countries. “Sports and politics are different, and sports should be like sports,” he said in an interview, emphasising the importance of allowing the game to be decided purely on the field. His remarks come after recent debate surrounding the match and concerns raised in some quarters.
Assessing the contest, the former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president said India would enter the game as favourites but cautioned against complacency in the shortest format. According to Ganguly, India’s overall strength gives them the edge, though he acknowledged that T20 cricket is unpredictable and capable of producing surprises if Pakistan performs exceptionally well.
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He also dismissed concerns about the threat posed by Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq, noting that Indian batters traditionally handle spin effectively. Players from the subcontinent are generally comfortable against slow bowling, he said, expressing confidence in India’s batting lineup ahead of the marquee encounter.
On team selection, Ganguly backed wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson as a capable option if opener Abhishek Sharma fails to recover from a stomach ailment suffered earlier in the tournament. He described India’s combination as balanced and said major changes were unnecessary unless forced by fitness concerns.
The much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash remains one of cricket’s most watched rivalries, and Ganguly’s comments underscore the continued call from former players to preserve sporting engagement even amid broader geopolitical sensitivities.
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