In recent years, the India versus Pakistan cricket rivalry has escalated to new heights. Pakistan’s victory over India in the 2021 T20 World Cup and India’s challenges in major tournaments have heightened the pressure on the Rohit Sharma-led team as they prepare for the upcoming Asia Cup and ODI World Cup.
Reflecting on the intense rivalry between the two nations, star batsman Virat Kohli acknowledged that the atmosphere within the dressing room during an India-Pakistan clash is markedly different from other matches. He emphasized that players often can’t ignore the external factors and the immense hype generated by fans, which adds an extra layer of pressure. However, Kohli noted that once they step onto the field, the dynamics change, nerves settle, and players focus on their natural game.
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“I wouldn’t run away from the fact that the atmosphere on the outside is very, very different from other games. It’s what is created on the outside that you can’t really ignore. As a player, when you step onto the field, it’s any other game for you. The environment on the outside can pull you in. That’s for you to enjoy and get excited about. Then it’s usual business,” Virat Kohli shared on Star Sports.
Unveiling the emotions of the biggest rivalry! 👏🏻@imVkohli speaks on how the India Pakistan clashes are larger than life from outside and makes it an experience to cherish! 😍
Tune-in to #INDvPAK on #AsiaCupOnstar
Sep 2 | 2.00 PM Onwards | Star Sports Network#Cricket pic.twitter.com/Zbn19IpABW— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 17, 2023
The cricketing calendar of 2023 offers multiple opportunities for fans to witness the India-Pakistan clash. The teams are set to face off on September 2 in the Asia Cup, with the possibility of meeting again in the Super 4 stage should they both qualify. The prospect of a repeat encounter in the finals adds to the excitement. Furthermore, the rivalry will extend to the ODI World Cup.
Commenting on the recent history of the rivalry, Sourav Ganguly pointed out that the balance of power has been skewed in favor of India, resulting in one-sided contests. He highlighted Pakistan’s victory over India in the T20 World Cup as a significant moment that ended a string of Indian victories.
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“While there is a lot of hype around this match, the quality of performances hasn’t been evenly matched in recent times due to India’s dominant run. Pakistan managed to break that trend with their victory in the T20 World Cup in Dubai,” remarked Sourav Ganguly.
As the anticipation builds for these high-stakes encounters, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the captivating battles between these two cricketing giants on the field.
