'Kya bol raha yea'- Fans react as Ravi Shastri believes India are favourites against Pakistan

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri said Team India is favourites for the blockbuster IND vs PAK clash in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. The Men in Blue will be hoping for a full match as there is a rain prediction in Kandy just half an hour before the match on Saturday.

The former head coach believes that Pakistan was a much-improved side, and had "narrowed the gap" with India. But the strength of India's line-up and an experienced captain in Rohit Sharma gave them the advantage. He also said India has their strongest lineup since 2011.

This is their strongest team since 2011, this mix of players: Ravi Shastri

Shastri said "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. Having said that, Pakistan have narrowed the gap. Seven-eight years , there was a gap if you looked at the strength of both teams and man to man. But Pakistan have narrowed it down. They are a very good side, so you have to be on top of your game."

The 61-year-old feels that when it comes to a high-pressure, high-stakes contest like India vs Pakistan, player's form is less important than player's temperament, which makes the real difference. He further added, "That's what's important, keeping calm and treating it as just another game," he said. "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 the mentally tough guys who normally get it right."

"When you look at the mix of players on either side, they are fabulous. And it will be a spectacle. In an India-Pakistan game, it is about who handles pressure better, who is calmer, whose thought process is clear. Those are the guys who will come through in those big occasions," Shastri concluded.

Here's how fans reacted

Bodied CHOKLI 🤣

— Shivani (@shivani__D) September 1, 2023

Virat plays against Pakistan.

Rohit plays for Pakistan.

— GAUTAM 🇮🇳 (@indiantweetrian) September 1, 2023

No way that this team is stronger than 2019 squad,

Dashing openers with King at 3 in peak, bhuvi Bumrah were in terrific form with kulcha at peak and we had Hardik and Jaddu who were 10 over bowlers and great hitters too, and the man MS himself was there too.

— Rahul Varma (@urscoolrahul) September 1, 2023

Ravi Shastri is king of hyperbole. Works well in commentary but don’t think this is an apt description of strength of current Indian team. 2015 team was equally good.

— Banker Babu (@bankerbabu111) September 1, 2023

Ravi Shastri is an opportunist who benefits from every situation in Indian cricket, he forgets what he spoke in past on different occasions; really don't remember when Team India was weak in the last two decade under capatinship of Saurav Ganguly, Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit.

— Shubman Gang (@ShubmanGang) September 1, 2023

Ravi shastri speaks to the point 👉. Well said

— Mr.Naruto (@MrNarutoHokage) September 1, 2023

Bodied kohli😭🤣🤣

— Hassan (@HassanAbbasian) September 1, 2023

Not really, India have a very very long tail.... WC will be won by team who have bowlers who can bat..

— TauTumhare (@TauTumhare) September 1, 2023