India vs Pakistan – the match that brings out all the adjectives, the blustering, the over-the-top commentary, the ridiculously high buzz. The fact that these two sides only play in ICC tournaments nowadays only ramps up the volume that much more, so try as you might there is no getting away from this – if there is an India vs Pakistan match, and you are a part of the country or have any sort of affinity to one of the two places, you will know what's going on.
Naturally, as we build up to this ICC Champions Trophy 2017 match on Sunday, there has been plenty of noise, with some of the Pakistan players talking up their chances of beating India.
Sarfraz Ahmed has said Pakistan's better record in the Champions Trophy over India gives them an advantage, while Junaid Khan has foolishly taken a swipe at Virat Kohli, saying he has gotten him out in the past and he will get him out again.
The India players, for the most part have been pretty quiet, largely due to the fact that the Virat Kohli-Anil Kumble issue has taken up most of the space.
But also, probably because, as Kohli mentioned before leaving for England, this is just another game for India.
They are in such a good space at the moment, in terms of results, that all they bother about is one of favourite words of the modern day players – processes.
As long as they follow those processes, they believe they will be alright, and more often than not come out smelling of roses in the end.
Of course, when it comes to a derby match, that form book, as they say, goes out of the window. But, look however you might at the two lineups there is one obviously stronger team.
Yes, Pakistan are mercurial, capable of the ridiculously brilliant on their day, but if India play to their full potential, they will win.
With no Misbah-ul-Haq, no Umar Akmal and very little experience to bank on with the bat, apart from Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik, this Pakistan team look very much what they are – a team in transition, climbing those never-ending steps back to the top. India, meanwhile, are already at the top, only one rating point behind the No.1 ranked Australia.
And while their bowling is a whole lot scarier, on paper, India's batsmen, especially if the wicket is flat, have enough talent to be able to weather that particular storm that will come raining down from Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Junaid – you know Kohli is going to target him now and knowing Kohli win that battle hands down – and the rest.
The neutrals and even some of the invested fans will want this India vs Pakistan match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 to be a thriller, one that goes to the last over, even the last ball of the match.
However, if you had to put your money on it, you would probably be better off going for a runaway India victory.
