Beating Pakistan similar to washing off your sins in Holy Ganga: Sidhu

Former Indian cricketer and Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Sunday wished Team India before the much anticipated Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan, saying defeating the arch-rivals will be a great honour and it would be like taking a dip in the Holy Ganga River.

"My best wishes are with Indian team. It will be a great honor if team India wins the match against Pakistan," Sidhu told ANI.

"Jahan desh ki saakh ka sawaal hota hai, wahan agar Pakistan se match jeet jaao toh aisa samjho Ganga naha liye,sare paap dhul jate hai (When the question is about nation's prestige, then beating Pakistan would be like taking a bath in the holy Ganga and washing off your sins)," he added.

Cricket fans, not only in India and Pakistan, but across the globe would be having their eyes glued on television sets when the greatest cricket rivalry once again rejuvenates in what could be expected as a high voltage game today at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

The Men in Blue would go into the match as clear favourites courtesy their stupendous record in the ICC events against Pakistan. However, they cannot afford to be complacent considering their history against the arch-rivals when it comes to the Champions Trophy.

While Pakistan hold a 2-1 lead over their fierce rivals in the Champions Trophy, it is India who have won 10 out of the 11 contests at the World Cup and World T20 tournaments between the two sides.

In recent times, however, the rivalry between the two cricketing giants has been one sided with India enjoying the lion's share of positive results.

Both Virat Kohli and Sarfraz Ahmed have stated that they would like to treat this high octane match as just another game of cricket but when it come to India- Pakistan clash, we all know it's not just any 'other game'.

-ANI