Picture used for illustrative purpose only. File

Renowned Indian cricket commentator Charu Sharma made startling predictions, by picking Pakistan as favourites against arch-rivals India as well as potential Asia Cup winners.

Charu joined the panel of the elite commentators at BIG 106.2 talk for the upcoming Asia Cup. He is a household name in the Indian sub-continent. He has been rendering his voice to cricket as a commentator for around 35 years.

His language is simple yet artistic and style is blatantly blunt. Words are chosen carefully and spoken prudently in a steely tone, which can intimidate and out class even the best in the business.

“Pakistan are in stellar form and they have a very balanced squad. They are playing quality cricket of late. Looking at their current form, I think they are the top most contenders for the Asia Cup title,” said Charu.

India and Pakistan are likely to meet three times in the tournament if both the teams can make it to the title showdown. India have always beaten Pakistan in the ICC events except facing a lone defeat in the last edition of the Asia Cup in Dubai.

But Charu refused to go by the record but current form and predicted Pakistan will have the upper hand against India.

“I think Pakistan have an edge this time around. Looking at their current form, they have a better chance of beating India,” added the veteran commentator.

Pakistan have been playing quality cricket of late and are on the top of the rankings in ODIs after their whitewash of Afghanistan in the series preceding Asia Cup.  They routed Afghanistan 3-0 to tighten their stranglehold on the top. They also trounced Nepal by a huge margin of 238 runs in the Asia Cup opener.

Charu’s hindsight reviews and analysis of the game has amazed the cricket fraternity. He does not dwell much on figures but sees beyond what a common man often overlooks.

“The big four are likely to advance to the Super Four stage. But we should not forget that India failed to make it to the semis last time and it was Lanka who stole the show and ran away with the trophy,” he added.

He is also known for his unbiased commentary and ruthless retrospection of the game. His discourse is replete with sordid maxims and he affects to be thought a prodigy of parsimony with words.

Commenting on the Indian squad for the Asia Cup, he said there are some surprises but sometimes the board has to be lenient with star players.

“Lokesh Rahul and Bumrah are returning from injuries. Eyebrows are bound to be raised on the selection of the players who are not fully fit or have not done well recently.

“But our board is not ruthless like that of Australia and England, we tend to give chances to the stars. Like, Virat Kohli did not score a single century in three years, had we not given him a chance today the team would have lost a wonderful player, who has so much of cricket still left in him,” he explained.

Charu opined that the future of Test cricket is bleak and is not likely to survive the test of time. Charu’s cricket acumen is impeccable and his deep knowledge of the game is unparalleled. He is deemed as one the most respected figures in the sports fraternity.

“Cricket is evolving like other games. Personally, I am not against Test cricket but in this fast-paced world, it will be very difficult for the longest format to survive the onslaught of the time.

“One-dayers were born when a washed-out Test was reduced to a one-day game after four days of incessant rains. But after that it stayed till date as people liked it and the organizers were quick to realize that this was the need of the hour.

“So all I want to say is that if people want it they shall have it. Test Championship is a good initiative to keep the longest format alive. But if you see, stadiums are almost empty during a Test match except in Australia and England.

“So, I don’t say that this format will die but dwindle to the extent of being extinct. In the time to come, Test cricket will be played only among a few nations.

“We should also look at the commercial aspect of the game. It is difficult to find the sponsors and the players are not willing to play as it is commercially not conducive,” he added.

Of late, rumours of curtailing the Test matches to four days are already swirling in the corridors of powers. Test matches are fighting for its survival since the advent of shorter formats.

ICC has made numerous efforts to make it more attractive with day-night Test matches like its other variant. But a five-daycharu long wait for a result does not make Test feasible. With the depleting viewership of Test matches, it is likely to become ceremonial like a heritage of the game in future.