Jason Gillespie, the former Australian fast bowler and current head coach of the Pakistan Test team, strongly contests Sunil Gavaskar's assertion that an 'Indian B' team could pose a challenge to the presently struggling Pakistan side, potentially even securing a victory. Gavaskar, the former captain of India, made this statement following India's triumph over their long-standing rivals in a Group A match of the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 held in Dubai.

Rohit Sharma and his team achieved a comfortable victory against Pakistan, led by Mohammad Rizwan, in the latest iteration of the eight-team tournament. This outcome has prompted various analysts to suggest that the historic rivalry between India and Pakistan is losing its intensity and is becoming increasingly one-sided.

In an interview with Sports Today after the match, Gavaskar remarked that an Indian B team could indeed challenge the primary Pakistan squad effectively. 

"I believe a B team from India could certainly give Pakistan a tough time. As for a C team, I am less certain. However, a B team would be very difficult for Pakistan to overcome in their current state," Gavaskar stated during the discussion on Sports Today.

In response, Jason Gillespie has labelled the notion that an Indian B team could defeat the main Pakistan team as complete "nonsense." He also conveyed a wish for the management of the Pakistan team to establish a more stable environment.

"I reject this narrative. I have seen comments from Sunil Gavaskar suggesting that an Indian B or C team could defeat the top Pakistan team. That is absolute nonsense. If Pakistan selects the right players and allows them the necessary time to develop and enhance their skills, they can triumph over any opponent. I do not doubt that," Gillespie asserted.

'Have to pick right talent'

Pakistan failed to make it to the ICC Men's Champions Trophy semi-finals after finishing at the bottom of the Group A standings. Rizwan's side lost against New Zealand and India, while the fixture against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi was abandoned due to rain.

The management has come under scrutiny for picking just one frontline spinner in the squad. The lack of openers in the 15-member team is also being talked about.

Gillespie, who resigned before Pakistan's Test series against South Africa, said the management needs to pick the right players and stick with them to see regular positive results.

"The high-end talent just got to pick the right high-end talent and support them and be patient with them. You know, there's far too much impatience, in my opinion, in Pakistan cricket. And if Pakistan, if the board, PCB and the board want change and want results to improve, they need to get the right people in place, get the right players on the bus, get the right selection panel in place and back them in and give them time and be patient with them to allow them to do their jobs," said Gillespie.

"And the same goes with the coaches. If you're going to give a coach an opportunity, give them an opportunity to really build something meaningful because otherwise, the results are going to stay the same," he added.

While Pakistan are out of the Champions Trophy, India will fight for the title and white blazers when they take the field against New Zealand in the summit clash on Sunday in Dubai.

Read Also: Shubman Gill Joins Steve Smith, Glenn Phillips in ICC Player of the Month Nominations

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!