ICC World Twenty20: India-Pakistan rivalry bigger than the Ashes, says R Ashwin
Kolkata: Ahead of their battle against arch-rivals Pakistan, India's R Ashwin on Friday said India-Pakistan rivalry is bigger than the Ashes.
“The India-Pakistan rivalry is huge. It is bigger than the Ashes. It is not a game but more like a border rivalry,” said Ashwin.
Video: Will 'strip dance' if Pak beats India, says Pakistani TV actress
However, the Indian off-spinner played it cool when he was asked about the pressure Indian players will face in the game.
“I don’t think we really see a lot of pressure in this game. We’re used to playing a lot of Indo-Pak games.”
“People put their emotions into the India-Pakistan game. For players, it’s trying and keeping emotions aside and playing the game the best way we can,” added Ashwin.
Ashwin Ravi addressed the media ahead of the game against Pakistan at the Eden Gardens #WT20
Posted by Indian Cricket Team on Friday, 18 March 2016
While India enjoy 4-0 winning record against Pakistan in ICC World Twenty20, Pakistan have 4-0 record whenever the teams played at the Eden Gardens in coloured clothing.
Following Pakistan’s win over Bangladesh and India’s 47-run defeat against New Zealand in their respective opening games, Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has termed Pakistan favourites to win the battle of bitter rivals.
Read: Got more love in India than in Pakistan, says Shahid Afridi
While Ashwin lauded Pakistan’s performance against Bangladesh, he made it clear that neither team starts as favourites.
“No one starts as favourites, its 50-50 I think. Pakistan played against Bangladesh brilliantly,” said Ashwin.
Ahead of the tournament, Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side was the frontrunner to lift the ICC World T20 trophy. However, a loss against Kane Williamson's New Zealand has pushed India on the backfoot.
