High-flying Team India will start the Champions Trophy final against Pakistan as the firm favourites. Barring the blip against Sri Lanka during the group stage when they had lost despite posting a massive 321, the Men in Blue have looked like the team to beat in the ongoing tournament. Right from the first warm-up game where they had hammered New Zealand to the semifinal where they thrashed Bangladesh, the defending champions have proved their title credentials with some superlative performances.
But despite the team being in such a good form, fast-bowler Jasprit Bumrah has advised the much-touted tournament favourites to guard against complacency.
Pakistan had begun their campaign in a worst-possible manner, losing by a whopping 124 runs against India but turned their tournament around remarkably well. Since the defeat in the opening game, they thrashed South Africa, Sri Lanka before stunning England in the semifinal to qualify for their maiden Champions Trophy final. And while Pakistan’s resurgence has left everyone surprised, Bumrah is certainly not one of them.
“Not at all surprised to see Pakistan in the final, not at all because cricket is a funny game,” he said.
He further said that the defending champions will not take the Men in Green lightly in the much-awaited final on Sunday (June 18).
“Anything can happen in any game, you cannot become complacent or take anything lightly. We’ve reached the final now, so we’ll plan. There are no easy games. Pakistan are always a good side and you have to give them equal respect,” he said.