Relish the big occasion and nothing can go wrong, dread it, and you could lose before the scheduled start of the game
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It’a grand occasion, a celebration in the two participating countries, a rivalry that goes far beyond cricket, a game that makes you tread across the entire spectrum of emotions, a match that is of far more importance than any personal chore. India vs Pakistan is an emotion that is tough to explain. Two nations would come to a stand still today, cricket fans would be glued to their TV sets and even peopl who aren’t great fans of the game would try and soak in the occasion, because when an India-Pakistan game comes knocking you embrace the occasion with all your might.
Also Read: Five of the most controversial India-Pakistan cricketing moments
While the fans go to new lengths to describe the gravity of India-Pakistan encounter, for the players it’s all about play the occasion down. Because big occasions bring anxiety, and anxiety increases the entropy in the system, causing things to haywire. For the players, it is very important to create a facade, a lens rather, a lens which helps you view the game from a different perspective, a lens that makes you forget all about the rivalry and fools you into believing that it is just another game of cricket.
Pakistan have played the tournament in a way that only Pakistan could. A heart wrenching and humiliating loss to India in the opener, a brilliant next 3 games, where they pipped quality sides like South Africa, Sri Lanka and England to force their way into the final. Not many had given them a chance, but you should count Pakistan out at your own peril.
India have been clinical in this tournament. They did have that slight blip against Sri Lanka in their second game, but apart from that they have looked sharp in all aspects of the game. They need to repeat it one more time, and they need to factor in the ‘pressure’ aspect for today’s game. Kohli has played down the big occasion, but of course, it’s easier said that done.
Let’s get to business now!
Fandromeda Fantasy Tips on the next page:
Fandromeda Fantasy League(Fantasy Guide for India vs Pakistan Final)
Transfer out: Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal
Transfer in: Ravindra Jadeja/Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Amir, Sarfaraz Ahmed
Now, I already have Babar Azam, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Hasani Ali, Junaid Khan, Bhuvi and Ashwin in my side for this game.
With three transfers in the kitty(2+1 free), I can bring in 3 big players for this game.
Jasprit Bumrah would be the first player that I would get in for this game. Having won the man of the match award in the previous game, Bumrah would be high on confidence and he has been bowling exceptionally well with the new and the old ball. Against a inexperienced Pakistan batting line up, you can expect Bumrah to fetch you at least 3 wickets. Get him in!(More on the Bumrah transfer later)
My team combination forces me to go in with an all rounder and wicketkeeper for the last 2 slots.
For the all rounder spot, it is a straight toss up between Ravindra Jadeja and Yuvraj Singh. The Pakistan team struggled to score runs off Jadeja in the opening game and ultimately provided him with wickets while trying to up the ante. Yuvraj Singh was provided with a life in the game against Pakistan and he made them pay big time. It’s very difficult to predict who out of the two would fire tonight, so I’ll be taking help of the toss to help me decide.
If India bat first, get in Yuvraj, because while batting second either he might have too much to do, or too little. If India bowl first, get in Jaddu.
Now, the team spread constraint will kick in for this game.
If India bat first, I’ll bet getting in Yuvraj and Amir(not Bumrah). If India bowl first, I’ll be getting in Jaddu and Amir. I can’t get in Bumrah in as I need to get in an all rounder and also because of the team spread constraint
For the wicketkeeper slot, I am again forced to get in Sarfaraz Ahmed(because of the team constraint issue). If you can, get in MSD, if India bat first and get in Sarfaraz, if Pakistan bat first.
Batting Star: Virat Kohli
Bowling Star: Bhuvi/Hasan Ali(whoever bowls first)
Champions Trophy Fantasy Tips on the next page:
Champions Trophy Fantasy League
The Champions Trophy game allows you to make a new team for the big final, something that doesn’t go well with the tournament format, but hey, when have we ever understood ICC.
I would go in with the same team that I had for the semi final 2 and will only transfer out the Bangladeshis.
So, I already have Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Ashwin, Bhuvi and Sarfaraz Ahmed in my side for this game.
Mohammad Amir would be my first pick for this game. He has bowling exceptionally without much luck. He troubled Rohit Sharma in the first game and could a few early scalps if he is in the mood.
With the official league not having any team spread constraint, I would be going in with both Yuvraj and Jaddu for this game.
Powerplayer: Virat Kohli
