Sunil Gavaskar breaks silence on Pakistan–India group draw

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has revealed the reason behind placing Pakistan and India in the same group for major international tournaments.

In a column written for a digital platform, Gavaskar said the primary objective of grouping the two arch-rivals together is to ensure at least one high-profile clash between them during the event.

He explained that, similar to previous mega tournaments, Pakistan and India have not only been placed in the same group but also in a comparatively easier pool to increase the likelihood of both teams progressing to the next round — setting the stage for further high-intensity encounters.

In the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin next month, Pakistan and India have been drawn in Group A alongside Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States.

Gavaskar further noted that the United States could emerge as a competitive side in the tournament, having gained valuable experience through participation in Major League Cricket (MLC).