Plot:

Defending champions India are all set to kick-start their Champions Trophy tourney when they take on arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday. It’s going to be a blockbuster Sunday as emotions among fans run very high before, during and after an India-Pakistan clash on the cricket field. Pakistan have a poor record when it comes to playing against India in ICC events. However, in the Champions Trophy they have a slight edge over India in head-to-heads, winning two of the three encounters. India would look to draw level against their neighbours, when they play Pakistan at the Edgbaston, Birmingham – the same ground where they lifted the Champions Trophy title in 2013, and beat Pakistan earlier in that edition.

Needless to say, India have a strong line-up. The batting looks dangerous and the bowling looks penetrative too this time around. After winning both the warm-up games convincingly, they will look to stamp their authority early on in the main event. Pakistan, on the other hand, bagged a 2-wicket win against Bangladesh in their first warm-up game when they chased down over 340 and their second game against Australia was a wash-out. They might be short of match practice and India will look to use their unbeaten streak in the Champions Trophy as a launchpad.

Pakistan, led by their wicket-keeper batsman, Sarfraz Ahmed have had a roller-coaster ride in the last year or so. They have been through ups and downs, whereas India continued to play impressive cricket in this format. Touted as one of the favourites to lift the cup, India will have a lot of expectations when they step onto the field on Sunday. Captain Virat Kohli has a fabulous record against Pakistan. In the last three games across formats, Kohli has been the Man of the Match on all occasions. It is going to be an interesting battle when he will come out to bat and face Mohammad Amir. There are other exciting players in Pakistan’s squad, but India’s squad looks better on paper. They have experienced players who have lifted the Champions Trophy in the past, and many of them are in form too. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma would look to give a strong start at the top, the way they have ever since they started opening in the Champions Trophy, in 2013. The bowling attack possesses pacers like Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah. The middle order will have the experience of MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh, who made his ODI debut in the 2000 ICC Knockouts. After Hardik Pandya’s onslaught against Bangladesh, the finishing department looks strong as well.

Stage:

Edgbaston, Birmingham

It’s the same place where India emerged victorious and lifted the cup in the previous Champions Trophy, in 2013. It is also the venue where India and Pakistan have played two Champions Trophy matches – Pakistan won the first in 2009, but India dominated in 2013. Weather hasn’t been kind over here though! The last game here, between Australia and New Zealand was washed out due to rain and there are chances of rain during this game as well. Let’s hope the rain gods stay kind enough and we get a full game.

It is going to be a tough game for Pakistan but they will be up for it. There are always many exciting player battles to be seen whenever these two teams lock horns. The contest seems to bring out the best out of the players and even the fans do their bit in the stands.

Acts:

Rohit Sharma vs Mohammad Amir

Our opener Rohit Sharma will be up against Pakistan’s bowling sensation Mohammad Amir early on in his innings. He would look to take his time and once he settles in, he might go after the Amir and the rest. Rohit has the second best batting average in ODIs since the final of the previous Champions Trophy. Amir has been equally impressive since his return to the Pakistan team.

Jasprit Bumrah vs Babar Azam

The Pakistani number 3 has impressed one and all ever since he made his ODI debut. He has maintained a staggering average in ODIs, which is a touch over 55. He will be up against India’s yorker-king, Jasprit Bumrah and it will be fascinating to see how Bumrah tackles him.

Hardik Pandya vs Wahab Riaz

Hardik Pandya was terrific in the warm-up game against Bangladesh. He continued from where he left off in the IPL, as a finisher and smashed the Bangladeshi bowlers all around the park. Wahab Riaz has a knack of taking up challenges and might look to test Hardik with short balls. Knowing Hardik, he won’t back down and will look to take the attack to Riaz instad. The death overs could be exciting.

It’s not just cricket when India take on Pakistan! The whole nation comes together and starts rooting for the Men in Blue. What’s more, the match is on Sunday – a perfect day for the fans to watch and back their team in action. Whenever these two sides have met each other outside Asia, the record is 15-14 in India’s favour. What do we have in store then? It simply promises to be a cracker of a contest on Super Sunday!