CT 2017: Stephen Fleming tips India to have an edge over Pakistan in big clash

Former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming has backed the Indian team to come out victorious against the Pakistani team in their marquee clash at the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. The two teams are set to lock horns at Birmingham on Sunday (June 4). While the weather forecasts for the game is largely gloomy, the teams and fans are pumped up nevertheless.

Fleming cited that the experience of the Indian players will work in their favour. He remarked that the Pakistani team is an unpredictable unit and hence inconsistent in their nature of play. Stephen Fleming also picked his four teams for the semi-finals – India, England, South Africa, and Australia. However, when asked to pick the finalists, he chose Australia and England to be the two teams.

“India have quality players with experience, whereas Pakistan are probably on the way up. Pakistan are a very talented side, but they are unpredictable. Pakistan are a little inconsistent given the young nature of their side and that’s where India have an edge. India are more settled and played together a lot,” quoted Stephen Fleming as per the quotes in OneIndia.com.

“India are one of the favourites. There are four teams in particular which stand out for me. They are England, South Africa, Australia and India. They are definitely in the top bracket,” he added further.

On Indian lineup

Fleming also spoke at length about the Indian players. He was recently associated with the Rising Pune Supergiant franchise in the Indian Premier League. He called Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya as outstanding players. In the batting order, the Indian top order has some very experienced players. In the spin department, they have the services of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

“I watched these players recently in the Indian Premier League. (Jasprit) Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, in particular, are outstanding players. They have also got great experience in senior players like Shikhar Dhawan, (Virat) Kohli, (MS) Dhoni, (Ravichandran) Ashwin and (Ravindra) Jadeja. You have got players all the way through, even Rohit Sharma,” quoted Fleming.

On Ajinkya Rahane’s form

Stephen Fleming had a special word of praise for the Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane. He worked closely with Rahane in the RPS camp in the IPL. Fleming called Ajinkya to be a very tough player but cited that he would be tired after a long summer. Considering the conditions in England, he cited Rahane as the best batsman who can bail out India from crisis situations.

“Ajinkya was mentally and physically tired after the summer. He played a lot of cricket for India during the home series and after he finished the home series, he was fatigued and we saw some signs in the last 3-4 games in IPL. But he was starting to come back to form. He will be a key part of the side. In England, without knowing the overhead conditions, weather its going to swing or seam, he is a type of player who you can base your innings around and he is not far away from good form,” quoted Fleming.