However, it would not be an easy one for the Men in Blue to defend their title as they would face a charged-up and equally confident Pakistan, who surprised everyone by beating favourites England in the first semi-final at Cardiff on Wednesday.
As the South African coach sat in the stands of The Oval in south London on Friday, two days before his side takes on their oldest foe again in the final, he allowed himself a smile when asked if he could actually believe his team had managed to fulfil their tournament mantra after such a terrible start. "We've practiced the same way from the first day we came here". A full house is a formality at The Oval, with projected broadcast figures likely to overtake previous records as unheralded Pakistan try to sneak the Champions Trophy from under the noses of the holders, neighbours and great rivals.
The result maintained India's dominance over their rival at major competitions.
"The India game was an aberration", he said.
Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood said Amir was fit but did not indicate whether the speedster would play on Sunday. It is like the Ashes.it is bigger than the Ashes - and expectation is high from both nations, insane about cricket.
There had been concerns among many Indian officials about the impact of Twenty20, amid fears its abbreviated time frame might lead to a reduction in commercial revenues from ODIs, with sponsors, and therefore broadcasters, unwilling to commit funds in similarly vast quantities to a much shorter game. "We just want to enjoy the finals and we deserve to be there", the skipper had a calm confidence in his tone.
He has no doubt Pakistan can rise to the occasion.
Pakistan got the better off South Africa and won the match by 19 runs to keep their hopes alive in the tournament. We were the number eight ranked side, and no one gave us any credit. His uncle Hasan, who works at Etawah Engineering College, said his blessings are with his nephew Sarfraz but he will be supporting India, the country he lives in. Amir bowled today and he's fit. Back spasms take two days anyway.
Though they're the favorites to win, Indian captain Virat Kohli has been quick to not underestimate a resurgent Pakistani side.
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Twenty20, pioneered as a professional sport in the English county game, was still in its global infancy a decade ago, when Johannesburg hosted the 2007 World Twenty20 final, with many players inclined to treat it as just a bit of fun compared to the more serious business of one-day internationals and Test matches.
"They are always a good side".
India booked their place in the showpiece fixture with a nine-wicket victory over Bangladesh at Edgbaston.
"In modern-day cricket, 300 is a par-total, the only way to bring the opposition's run-rate down is to take wickets".
Having already taken a return catch from Mosaddek Hossain, Bumrah cleaned up Mahmudullah with a yorker.
"You can not win matches against cricket teams until and unless you take wickets", he said.
"It's was unbelievably hard, it really was a tough time", he says.
In-between his two five-over spells, Bumrah received treatment on his back, but he insisted: "I was told to rest and this is the thing which I'm doing".
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