CT 2013: India look to fight history against Pakistan

Sports Desk: Ever since they started playing cricket against each other in 1951-52, India and Pakistan have made sure their rivalry goes down the annals of sporting history as the most sought after, if not the most fierce, of all battles.

Call it mutual jingoism, misplaced nationalism or plain competitive spirit in patriotic overdrive, India versus Pakistan is never any other match.

In the tumultuous decades of 80s and 90s when Kashmir was on the boil, India versus Pakistan meant war sans guns. The debut series of Sachin Tendulkar, played in the mist and fog of November-December of 1989, was marred with incidents of spectators throwing stones at Indian fielders. 

The discourse in India was not too different either. “Lose to anyone, don’t lose to Pakistan,” fervent, impassionate fans would implore. India versus Pakistan was war on this side of the border too.

The ‘patriotism’ reached its crescendo in 1999, when the two nations squared against each other in England at World Cup. With Kargil still booming with guns, nothing short of an Indian win was required.

The men in blue, led by Dravid’s resolute 61 and Venkatesh Prasad’s 27/5 posted a memorable 47-run win over the arch-rivals. 

India have done well to ensure a clean slate in ICC World Cup matches against Pakistan. 

The Miandad-More match of 1992, the high pressure quarter-final of 1996, the emotional encounter of 1999, vintage Sachin-Shoaib duel of 2003, the epic Mohali madness of 2011, not to forget the nerve-wracking World T20 encounters in 2007, and the typically one-sided clash in World T20 of 2012, India have made sure they cross the line in World Cups each time they come across Pakistan.

However, when it comes to Champions Trophy, Pakistan have blanked India 2-0 on both the occasions. 

In 2004, playing in England, India lost by 3 wickets, and in 2009 in South Africa, Pakistan again trounced India by 54 runs.

Dhoni, whose stoic calm has been well-documented, will feel the heat ahead of the crucial game. That semis spot has been fixed by India will not be the breeding ground for complacency.

Pakistan, though out of the contest, would be keen to keep their clean record against India intact. Known to lift their game against India, Pakistan will come out all guns blazing.

The venue for Saturday’s match, Edgbaston, has witnessed some epic encounters, including the epic Australia versus South Africa semi-final of 1999 World Cup. The fast Edgbaston track would encourage Pakistan pacers to bend their backs. India, with its strong batting line-up, would be gearing up for the ultimate challenge.

Without the experience of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, and Yuvraj Singh, the raw Indian side would rely on Dhoni’s temperament to see them through.