Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @srwatson33
Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson described India’s decision not to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy as “unfortunate” but highlighted the tournament as an opportunity for star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to regain their form.
The ICC has implemented a ‘Hybrid’ model for this edition, with India scheduled to play its matches at a neutral venue in Dubai.
“It’s unfortunate that things have worked out that way for sure. But there’s no doubt that what everyone loves seeing — the India-Pakistan games. Whenever they come together, whether it’s an ICC event, it is a really special time because we’ve got a sense of what’s on the line,” Watson said during the Champions Trophy Tour.
“It’s unfortunate that India aren’t travelling to Pakistan for this Champions Trophy. But, unfortunately, that’s just the way it is right now,” he added.
Watson emphasized the importance of the Champions Trophy in providing fresh context to cricket, breaking the four-year gap between ODI World Cups.
“The CT is a critically important tournament in world cricket because the One Day World Cup is only once in every four years. It is great because it breaks up those four years,” he explained.
The 43-year-old also highlighted the role of the Champions Trophy in sustaining the relevance of the ODI format amidst the prominence of Test cricket and the rise of T20s.
“You keep giving one-day cricket the energy that it needs because it is a great game. It’s a great format. It provides that balance between Test cricket and T20 cricket.
“We never want to lose the format of one-day cricket, but there needs to be context as often as possible. And the CT certainly provides that.”
Watson noted the high stakes of the tournament, with only eight teams competing.
“When you play a CT where there’s only eight teams, there is something riding on every ball. And as a team, you have to hit the ground sprinting. Otherwise, you’ll be out like it was for the Australian team in 2013.”
Australia, then defending champions, had a disappointing campaign in the 2013 Champions Trophy, finishing at the bottom of Group A with just one win. The tournament was eventually won by India under the leadership of MS Dhoni.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
