Sunil Gavaskar, Ian Chappell Tip India To Beat Pakistan Again In WC

SYDNEY: Legendary cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Ian Chappell tipped India as favourites in their much anticipated World Cup clash against Pakistan, saying that past history and better acclimatisation to Australian conditions could tilt the balance in favour of the defending champions.

India have beaten Pakistan in all the cricket World Cup matches -- in 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003 and 2011. Both Gavaskar and Chappell said that Pakistan are unlikely to break their World Cup jinx this time also, although both sides go into the showpiece event as struggling teams.

"Both teams are going into the World Cup not in great touch. Pakistan are also struggling as they had lost to New Zealand recently, it could be even stevens. But I think India will start as slight favourites because of their past records," Gavaskar said.

He said the absence of off-spinner Saeed Ajmal in the Pakistan squad due to suspect bowling action -- though he was later cleared by the ICC -- will have a huge impact on the 1992 champions.
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