What's new

If we get off to a good start, Pakistan can't beat us in the 2019 World Cup: Suresh Raina

Abdullah719

T20I Captain
Joined
Apr 16, 2013
Runs
44,825
India batsman Suresh Raina is confident that if India managed to get a good start in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, then there is no chance that Pakistan can beat them and consequently, they will maintain their World Cup record against their traditional rivals.

“I do not think that at this point of time, any of the players will be thinking about Pakistan match because we need to do well in our initial matches and if we will be able to win those matches then I do not think there will be an issue for Pakistan match,” Raina told ANI.

“But in case we lost some the matches then I can say that there will be pressure on India for Pakistan match...but if we will win first three matches then I do not think our World Cup record is going to break.. and Pakistan cannot beat us..,” he added.

It is the ‘good squad’ that is bringing confidence in Raina as he feels that they are performing well in all the departments. Raina said that no team will be able to obstruct India from reaching into the semi-finals if they managed to register a victory in their first three matches.

“We have a good squad for this World Cup with quality players and they are really doing good in all the departments especially in batting and bowling. In this World Cup, we will have to play nine matches and a good start is very important,” he said.

“England have started their campaign they have won against south Africa and if India can win the first three matches then I do not think any team can stop India from playing in the semi-finals,” Raina added.

Moreover, Raina heaped praise on India skipper Virat Kohli and 2011 World Cup winning captain MS Dhoni saying they will have a pivotal role in the premier tournament.

“Virat Kohli is the key player of this World Cup and apart from him Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni), I think his role will be crucial for this world cup he has done a lot for Indian cricket and he is the most experienced player of the squad,” he said.

Raina feels that only England and South Africa have the potential of hindering them from lifting this edition’s World Cup but if they managed to overpower them, then there is no other team who can stop them from winning the title.

“I think if we beat teams like South Africa and England then I do not think any team can stop us to win the world cup,”

The 32-year old also feels that Jofra Archer’s inclusion has further strengthened the England side. Archer displayed a scintillating performance in the opening match of the World as he took three wickets and conceded just 27 runs in his seven over.

In the opening match of the World Cup, England vanquished South Africa by 104 runs. Also, Raina called West Indies, who thrashed Pakistan by seven wickets on Friday, side a ‘surprise package’ of the tournament.

“In my view, England is very strong team special Archer’s association with team is big thing and they are doing well in each department they are looking very good on paper and as well as in the ground so I think all matches will be tough,” he said.

“I can see England and India are going to play the final..but West Indies is will be surprise package of this tournament because they have attacking players who can change the game on their day,” Raina added.

India will open their World Cup campaign against South Africa on June 5.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...-win-record/story-REBBZAlQNiNxpUqsMhb2XM.html
 
For years, pakistan talked about hitting reset button when domestic never got fixed. nepotistic selection of players kept on happening

I really think if India humiliate pakistan unlike any other game in this World Cup , it is the only incident that can trigger a total makeover of cricket.

One thing that has always occurred is pakistan team lift themselves up to make an India and pakistan match somewhat competitive. It has never been truly a humiliation in the WC for any side . Well in light of recent conflict if India does manage to humiliate Pak which they have the potential to do, it might be the kick in the backside pakistan really needs. It’s not a nice thought but maybe a necessary thought
 
Last edited by a moderator:
For years, pakistan talked about hitting reset button when domestic never got fixed. Farshi players kept on coming

I really think if India humiliate pakistan unlike any other game in this World Cup , it is the only incident that can trigger a total makeover of cricket.

One thing that has always occurred is pakistan team lift themselves up to make an India and pakistan match somewhat competitive. It has never been truly a humiliation in the WC for any side . Well in light of recent conflict if India does manage to humiliate Pak which they have the potential to do, it might be the kick in the backside pakistan really needs. It’s not a nice thought but maybe a necessary thought

It won't be the first time. We have been humiliated before. At this point I don't what will it take for us to revamp the domestic structure.
 
He's right. On current form Pak should consider forfeiting the match or we should start praying for rain. At least that way we'll get a point.
 
Won't be the first & won't be the last. We need heaps of improvement before we can even beat a team of half of india's caliber
 
No chance for Pakistan
You never know, Pakistan may fluke another Victory like CT
 
“But in case we lost some the matches then I can say that there will be pressure on India for Pakistan match...but if we will win first three matches then I do not think our World Cup record is going to break.. and Pakistan cannot beat us..,” he added.
A critical caveat that the thread title doesn't capture.
 
Misleading thread again. News titles these days really sucks.

Even if he didn’t say that it would have been true if he said that. Pakistan are so behind India that it really hurts, so a win for Pakistan would be a BIG surprise.
 
The only game in this WC that I care about.

Don't care if India loses every other game. Might celebrate it. This pathetic team deserves to win nothing.

But with Kohli at the helm, anything can happen even against Pakistan.

If I bloody see him laughing after another loss against Pakistan......
 
The only game in this WC that I care about.

Don't care if India loses every other game. Might celebrate it. This pathetic team deserves to win nothing.

But with Kohli at the helm, anything can happen even against Pakistan.

If I bloody see him laughing after another loss against Pakistan......

Even if India loses against Pakistan, you still have a chance of winning the WC while Pakistan is going to get elliminated and then say ”Inshallah, we will come back stronger next world cup”.
 
The only game in this WC that I care about.

Don't care if India loses every other game. Might celebrate it. This pathetic team deserves to win nothing.

But with Kohli at the helm, anything can happen even against Pakistan.

If I bloody see him laughing after another loss against Pakistan......

This is your ATG team, never had that much balance in batting/bowling/allrounders. Raise your expectations. If I was Indian, I would expect nothing less than the trophy.
 
The only game in this WC that I care about.

Don't care if India loses every other game. Might celebrate it. This pathetic team deserves to win nothing.

But with Kohli at the helm, anything can happen even against Pakistan.

If I bloody see him laughing after another loss against Pakistan......

It's not 1999 mate.
 
This is your ATG team, never had that much balance in batting/bowling/allrounders. Raise your expectations. If I was Indian, I would expect nothing less than the trophy.

It's called compensation psychology - low expectations is the key to happiness. Simply put, prepare for the worst, any other outcome is compensation.
 
All the players who are not part of the playing XI throw this chest thumping statement to put pressure on current team. If Raina were in the squad he would have never said this.
 
This is what I call a doctored title, Raina is not the bragging loudmouth types, he didn't really mean it like that.
 
It be hilarious if Pak loses all matches but manages to win against India
 
This is what I call a doctored title, Raina is not the bragging loudmouth types, he didn't really mean it like that.

Agreed, the poor guy did say that IF India manages to start really well they will most likely beat Pakistan too....that type of an argument could be made for any team.
 
This is your ATG team, never had that much balance in batting/bowling/allrounders. Raise your expectations. If I was Indian, I would expect nothing less than the trophy.

India has the worst balance among all countries. Even Afghan tailenders are better. Indian tail is weak. Middle order is unstable. TOp order is out of form.
 
Stupid thing to say considering everyone knows that Pak simply cannot beat any decent team.
 
Pride comes before a fall!
Though it looks like india should win, never underestimate an opponent, especially PAKISTAN!
 
Indian batting is so weak .I'm surprise if we make to semifinals. My top four - England, Australia, New-Zealand , West Indies.
 
Indian batting is so weak .I'm surprise if we make to semifinals. My top four - England, Australia, New-Zealand , West Indies.

Even if india wins WC, some indians will still find fault in their team.India may or may not win the cup, but their team is as good as anyone else.
 
There's an extremely slim chance of beating India here.

They trashed us without Kohli in the Asia cup.

India has its best ODI unit of all time and its even growing. They have 4 massive wicket takers for the first time in Kuldeep, Chahal, and Bumrah, Shami is pretty good too.
 
Well he's not wrong is he. It will be incredible if Pakistan somehow beat India
 
I know we are ahead of PAK at this current time in cricket standard but comments like this needs to stop. This type of comments happend quite often from prof/ex cricketers during CT and we all know how CT ended up.
 
If I bloody see him laughing after another loss against Pakistan......

I know... The most sickening sight, worse than the thrashing (which some of us deserved for prematch arrogance). But you don't go and act like a buffoon in public view when you ably led your team to the worst thrashing against your traditional rivals.

That's why Kohli, ATG though he is, will never be held with the same reverence as Sachin.

Tendulkar was friendly with several Pakistanis, Australians, West Indians and English off the field. But you'd never see him looking anything but miserable after losing a big game that mattered to his countrymen.
 
I know... The most sickening sight, worse than the thrashing (which some of us deserved for prematch arrogance). But you don't go and act like a buffoon in public view when you ably led your team to the worst thrashing against your traditional rivals.

That's why Kohli, ATG though he is, will never be held with the same reverence as Sachin.

Tendulkar was friendly with several Pakistanis, Australians, West Indians and English off the field. But you'd never see him looking anything but miserable after losing a big game that mattered to his countrymen.

Classic coping mechanism.
 
I know... The most sickening sight, worse than the thrashing (which some of us deserved for prematch arrogance). But you don't go and act like a buffoon in public view when you ably led your team to the worst thrashing against your traditional rivals.

That's why Kohli, ATG though he is, will never be held with the same reverence as Sachin.

Tendulkar was friendly with several Pakistanis, Australians, West Indians and English off the field. But you'd never see him looking anything but miserable after losing a big game that mattered to his countrymen.

Absolutely. Sachin was friendly with all but handled himself with grace and poise in every situation.

I was in USA when this happened. I & my friend woke up early to watch this match. We were watching the TV looking all glum after the loss and then we see this guy pull off this antic. It was enraging.

My friend turns to me and asks:

"Can you ever imagine a leader like Imran Khan doing this?"

He was right.

A true leader would never do this.

Can you imagine Imran Khan or Sourav Ganguly....or even Dhoni doing this after a pathetic loss in a tournament finals?

No way in hell.

There is a reason why Kohli will NEVER be loved by Indians like Sachin. No amount of stat manipulation or "oh he's not a match winner" argument is going to change that. :))
 
Last edited:
The 'Strong' Pakistan teams of 1992,1996,2003,2011 could not defeat India in World Cup encounters, so It'll probably be a weak team like we have this time round that will eventually break the streak.
 
Back
Top