Unfortunate that India aren't travelling to Pakistan for Champions Trophy: Shane Watson
The Hindu
Shane Watson discusses India's absence from Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, highlighting Kohli and Sharma's form struggles.
Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson termed India's inability to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy as "unfortunate" but said the ICC showpiece will offer star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma a chance to liberate themselves from a prolonged form slump.
The global governing body has adopted the 'Hybrid' model for this edition of the CT with India scheduled to play its matches at a neutral venue in Dubai.
"It's unfortunate that things have worked out that way for sure. But there's no doubt that what everyone loves seeing — the India-Pakistan games. Whenever they come together, whether it's an ICC event, it is a really special time because we've got a sense of what's on the line," Watson told the media during the Champions Trophy Tour.
"It's unfortunate that India aren't travelling to Pakistan for this Champions Trophy. But, unfortunately, that's just the way it is right now," he added.
Watson said the CT offers cricket a fresh context, breaking the long lull of four years between two ODI World Cups.
"The CT is a critically important tournament in world cricket because the One Day World Cup is only once in every four years. It is great because it breaks up those four years," he noted.
The 43-year-old also said the CT keeps the ODI format alive amidst the rightful prominence Test cricket receives and the upsurge of T20s.
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