KARACHI
KARACHI: Lackluster India may have very little chance of qualifying to the semifinals but former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja feels the team still cannot be ruled out as a potential winner of the Champions Trophy.
"I would not rule out the Indian team at this stage even though they have now let the issue of whether they will qualify for the semi-finals out of their hand. Meaning their qualification now depends on the outcome of the Pakistan and Australia match," Rameez said on a television talk show.
The former captain, who is now a commentator, said India have the ability to come out fighting if they got into the knockout stage.
"So far they have not looked sharp or focussed at all in this tournament. I don't know the reasons but they have looked tired and jaded on the field. Then Mahendra Singh Dhoni is also not exuding the same confidence which has been his hallmark in recent times," he said.
The former opener felt that India were desperately missing the services of middle-order mainstay Yuvraj Singh.
"He has been a key player for them in One-dayers. Without taking away anything from other players the fact is Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj have been their key One-day performers. They have the ability to dictate to the bowler under pressure."
Rameez also felt that Rahul Dravid does not look the part of a One-day player.
"He is a top batsman and he got runs against Pakistan but I still feel he is lacking that ability to score runs quickly and push the rate when it matters the most. He looks a bit out of place in the Indian one-day side right now," Rameez said.
The former captain, however, said the Champions Trophy was still wide open and any team could win the event. "Which is very good for One-day cricket. This is exactly the dose it requires to survive in the long run against the rising popularity of Twenty20 cricket."
Another former captain Aamer Sohail also felt that India could not be ruled out as potential winners of the trophy at this stage.
"Their biggest problem is they don't have a sharp and penetrative bowling line-up. Their bowlers have struggled and conceded too many runs. This is their weakest link and they need to work on it," he said.
Sohail, however, agreed that India could comeback strongly if they make the semi-finals.
"They have the ability to click as a team when it matters the most. So don't rule them out at this stage."
Even if Pakistan beats Australia, India has to score a big margin victory over the West Indies in their last group match to qualify for the semi finals on better net run-rate.
KARACHI: Lackluster India may have very little chance of qualifying to the semifinals but former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja feels the team still cannot be ruled out as a potential winner of the Champions Trophy.
"I would not rule out the Indian team at this stage even though they have now let the issue of whether they will qualify for the semi-finals out of their hand. Meaning their qualification now depends on the outcome of the Pakistan and Australia match," Rameez said on a television talk show.
The former captain, who is now a commentator, said India have the ability to come out fighting if they got into the knockout stage.
"So far they have not looked sharp or focussed at all in this tournament. I don't know the reasons but they have looked tired and jaded on the field. Then Mahendra Singh Dhoni is also not exuding the same confidence which has been his hallmark in recent times," he said.
The former opener felt that India were desperately missing the services of middle-order mainstay Yuvraj Singh.
"He has been a key player for them in One-dayers. Without taking away anything from other players the fact is Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj have been their key One-day performers. They have the ability to dictate to the bowler under pressure."
Rameez also felt that Rahul Dravid does not look the part of a One-day player.
"He is a top batsman and he got runs against Pakistan but I still feel he is lacking that ability to score runs quickly and push the rate when it matters the most. He looks a bit out of place in the Indian one-day side right now," Rameez said.
The former captain, however, said the Champions Trophy was still wide open and any team could win the event. "Which is very good for One-day cricket. This is exactly the dose it requires to survive in the long run against the rising popularity of Twenty20 cricket."
Another former captain Aamer Sohail also felt that India could not be ruled out as potential winners of the trophy at this stage.
"Their biggest problem is they don't have a sharp and penetrative bowling line-up. Their bowlers have struggled and conceded too many runs. This is their weakest link and they need to work on it," he said.
Sohail, however, agreed that India could comeback strongly if they make the semi-finals.
"They have the ability to click as a team when it matters the most. So don't rule them out at this stage."
Even if Pakistan beats Australia, India has to score a big margin victory over the West Indies in their last group match to qualify for the semi finals on better net run-rate.
TOI
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