Former West Indies captain Chris Gayle has termed that India vs Pakistan rivalry is bigger than the Ashes enmity between Australia and England. This comes ahead of the Asia Cup 2023 and the World Cup 2023 where the two giants of Asian cricket are set to clash in ODI formats.
India and Pakistan games have always been intense and eagerly awaited. Due to the intense strain on players and spectators, the atmosphere during these matches is beyond description. It is regarded as one of the most important sporting events.
Since they no longer compete in bilateral series, India and Pakistan’s meetings in the Asia Cup and ICC competitions are much more thrilling. The ICC has declared that the two sides would play one another in the ICC World Cup 2023.
After the T20 World Cup 2022 clash, India and Pakistan will not meet on October 15 in the ODI World Cup 2023. Naturally, like all others, Gayle is looking forward to the mega clash.
“It is going to be the most exciting game of the World Cup. In any World Cup, it is like the final game. We know how the rivalry is. It is just a crazy sold-out game,” Gayle said to PTI.
When asked if India vs Pakistan was bigger than the Ashes, Gayle replied in the affirmative.
“India vs Pakistan – that’s bigger than the Ashes. Yes, that’s bigger than Ashes, absolutely. That’s humongous on a world stage. Billions of people watching that. We know what comes. Let’s see what happens on the 15th. I’ll go watch it,” he added.
India enjoys complete dominance over Pakistan, as the Men in Green has never defeated the Men in Blue side in 50-over World Cup tournaments and only defeated them for the first time in T20 World Cups in the 2021 edition.
Pakistan And India Players Should Demand A Lot Of Money For These Matches- Chris Gayle
Not only this, Chris Gayle also said that the players of India and Pakistan should demand more money for these clashes given the revenue it generates. The last time these two met during T20 World Cup 2022, there was a 1.8 Crores viewership on Disney + Hotstar app.
“Whenever those teams [India and Pakistan] play, especially in a World Cup, the revenues they generate are humongous. One game can take care of the entire ICC event. Pakistan and India players should demand a lot of money for those games because those games are high-paid TV-wise. I don’t control the board or the ICC. If I was in their position I would want a lot more,” Gayle added.
This will be the eighth time India will face Pakistan in the 50-over World Cup. On seven occasions, India have come on the top.