Whenever India and Pakistan lock their heads, the fans of both countries become tensed. Wherever the two teams meet, the venue always packed. Both sides have just been facing off only in the ICC events and when it is the World Cup, a lot is at stake. In the middle of the match against Pakistan, India’s opener Shikhar Dhawan opened up on the atmosphere and how the pressure imposed on players.
As far as the record India holds in the mega-events against arch-rivals are concerned, they have never lost to Pakistan in the 50-over and 20-over World Cups. They ranked 7-0 in the 50-overs World Cup and won in the shortest format on all four occasions. But apart from a flawless record, Dhawan reveals that the Indian players are under pressure.
The left-hand batsmen said he was under extreme pressure because of the electric atmosphere in the middle. He recalled the World Cup game 2015 against the Green in the Oval, Adelaide. It also took its very first appearance at the WC against Pakistan as well and to make things worse, he wasn’t in the great form in the lead up to the tournament
“That’s a whole different feeling because of the situation on the ground. I feel pressure against Pakistan. In 2015 WC in Adelaide, I still remember our match against Pakistan. “During that time, my form was not so good, but I did not play well before the World Cup in Australia series,” he said while speaking at Double Trouble show with Smriti and Jemi.
India should win against Pakistan at any cost, says Shikhar Dhawan
MS Dhoni won the toss and first decided to bat, and Shikhar Dhawan remembered an incident when he and Rohit Sharma went to bat. A group of Pakistani fans taunted him, saying that after just 15 runs, the Southpaw would get out. Dhawan scored 73 runs off 76 balls with seven fours and six, which he remembers the same people were clapping and appreciating him for his knock.
“Our first World Cup match was with Pakistan, and Pakistan fans were shouting when I was walking at this venue, ‘Tu toh 15 runs banake out hojayega.’ I was like, ‘Oh, all right.’ And then, I finished 73 runs, and the same people clapped on my way to the pavilion. Team India should win against Pakistan by any means in ICC events no matter what. The 34-year old added that they taunt each other in the stands.
