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Predictions 
Indian vice-captain Shubman Gill has shared his take on the much-anticipated game against Pakistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Both teams will clash on February 23 in Dubai, with India hoping to book a semifinal spot, while Pakistan is trying to be in the hunt to enter the top four.
In their first game, India bundled out Bangladesh for 228 and then chased down the score under 47 overs. Gill played an impressive knock, scoring 101* off 129 balls, with nine fours and two sixes.
Meanwhile, Pakistan endured a tough 60-run loss against New Zealand and will have a must-win game on their hands when they meet India.
In the pre-match press conference, Shubman Gill stated that India-Pakistan is a big game, but he feels the real challenge would be to play the final of the Champions Trophy.
“First of all, I think it is a big match, but I think the biggest match would obviously be the final that the team plays. And definitely, we have been playing some good ODI cricket.”
Further, Gill feels that despite starting with a loss, Pakistan are a formidable side and they would look to bring their A-game to continue their winning momentum.
“Pakistan, unfortunately, have lost some of the matches that they have played recently, but by no means are we going to take them as a lesser side. It is important for us to bring our A-game tomorrow.”
Shubman Gill also shared his take on the hype behind India-Pakistan game. As per him, people enjoy the performance of the Indian team, when they play against Pakistan which puts an added importance on the game.
“I don’t believe that over-hype or under-hype is a thing. India-Pakistan has a long history. It’s an exciting contest when both these teams play. Everyone enjoys watching it. If so many people are happy to watch the match, then who are we to say that it is underhyped or overhyped? We go there to play cricket.”
Shubman Gill doesn’t feel vice-captaincy burden
Shubman Gill was elected as India’s vice-captain in the ODI format ahead of the England series. He repaid the faith shown by the selectors by emerging as the top-scorer in the series with 259 runs in three innings.
Gill also started the Champions Trophy with a century and is certainly in the best form of his life, while also being the No.1-ranked ODI batter.
On the eve of India-Pakistan game, Shubman Gill disclosed that he isn’t feeling any pressure from the vice-captain tag. The 25-year-old feels he is approaching every innings as only a batter, irrespective of his leadership role.
“I don’t think vice captaincy has changed anything. When I’m batting out there, I want to still play as a batsman because I feel that’s when – or that’s what brings the best out of me. So, whenever I’m batting out there, I’m just playing however I would play, irrespective of if I’m the vice-captain or not,” Gill said in the pre-match press conference before the match against Pakistan.
