When India thumped Pakistan in their opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 a little under a fortnight ago, not many, if any at all, would have predicted that these two teams would face each other again in the final of the elite competition.
However, after Pakistan won three matches in a row following that defeat and India justified their favourites tag, that is exactly how it has all panned out – the dream final to be played at The Oval on Sunday with a capacity crowd, majority of them, no doubt Indians, hoping for some wonderful, exciting cricket.
Owing to the fact that these two teams do not play bilateral series anymore, any clash between India and Pakistan takes on a life of its own.
The media goes crazy, the fans cannot stop talking about the match, former players and so-called pundits (who just bleat out the same thing over and over again in the name of "analysis", except Aakash Chopra, he's good) give their opinions and the players, as much as they would like to deny it, feel that extra pressure to perform.
For both these teams, but particularly India, this is a cannot-lose situation. Yes, all finals are that, and every single team look to take the title home at all costs. But, for India in particular, this is a game that they just cannot lose.
They come into the Champions Trophy final as the clear favourites. So, the expectations will be a lot higher, and considering they are the superior team in all departments at the moment, they will be expected to beat Pakistan without too much hassle.
So, if they do end up winning the title, it won't be a surprise, because they are expected to beat Pakistan.
But, if they lose this final, the knives will come out.
The so-called pundits will change their tunes and start questioning the players' "desire", "ability to handle the pressure", "Virat Kohli's captaincy," and a whole lot more.
Questions will be raised over the supposed Virat Kohli-Anil Kumble rift, and if that was the reason why India lost to Pakistan in the final, while promptly ignoring the fact that India have seemed least bothered by it in their route to the big clash.
There will be talk about if India need to go a different route in limited-overs cricket, and if the youngsters need to be given an opportunity. With that will follow questions over Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni's future and any of the other player(s) who might have struggled in the final. Heck, knowing Dhoni and his penchant to surprise, he might just think "I don't need this grief anymore," and announce his retirement.
Twitter will go crazy, nuts and a few more similar words, and not in a good way.
Some former player will tweet something unnecessary and it will all snowball into a situation nobody wants.
When the players return to India/travel to the West Indies for the short series, Virat Kohli will be questioned over that loss to Pakistan again and again and again.
So India, do us all a favour – beat Pakistan in this Champions Trophy final, please. Pretty please.
