Millions of cricket fans will be glued to their television sets as India take on Pakistan in a high voltage Champions Trophy final at The Oval on Sunday. It is just the second time in the history of cricket that these arch-rivals are pitted against each other in the final of an ICC tournament. The first time was in 2007, in the inaugural World T20 in Johannesburg, when a thriller was played out in front of a full house and India emerged victorious.
If you are a Pakistan supporter I strongly suggest you avoid reading further, ESPECIALLY if you happen to be the more superstitious type of fan. If you are an India fan, I guarantee that this will make you feel better before the all important final. Here it goes.
All signs and omens point to an Indian victory in the finals of the Champions Trophy.
When India triumphed in the inaugural 2007 World T20, their opening game was against Pakistan, just like it was in the Champions Trophy here in England 10 years later. They managed to win both these first games and face Pakistan in the finals this time around, like in South Africa.
No, the coincidences do not end there. Remember when Rohit Sharma first showcased his talents in the big stage? It was in 2007 in the World T20 in a virtual quarter-final against the Proteas. Rohit smashed a vital half-century as India dumped the South Africans out of the tournament. In the Champions Trophy this time around, India were once again faced with South Africa in a virtual quarter-final. The ruthless Kohli-led side once again punished the Proteas in an ICC tournament.
Now, you Pakistani fans should really stop reading. You do not want to go into the finals knowing that all arrows direct to the airport without a trophy.
MS Dhoni was a rather new captain at the time and was skippering his side for the first time in an ICC tournament. So is Virat Kohli this time around. Both captains managed to take their team to the finals of the tournament.
Is it just the 2007 triumph that coincides? Hell no!
Remember 4 years back, when India stunned all critics at the Champions Trophy to grab their second ICC trophy in two years? You surely remember that the 2013 event was also played in England.
But did you know that the three venues assigned for both events were exactly similar? Cardiff, Oval and Birmingham were the exact three venues used for the 2013 and 2017 event.
If these aren't enough proof to believe that the stars are aligned in India's favour, just take a glance at the teams India have beaten in this ICC Champions Trophy - Pakistan, South Africa and Bangladesh. Don't get it? Unless you are colour blind, you would know that all three wear green jerseys. And facing yet another Men in Green team in the final is something Virat Kohli and co will accept with glee.
Don't even get me started on the ICC tournament records India own against Pakistan.
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