 "T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Babar Azam speak ahead of India vs Pakistan")
Ahead of the big-ticket India vs Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup on Sunday, key figures from both sides sat down and reflected on what makes the match so special. Skippers from both sides, Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam, shed light on their excitement and feelings when approaching one of the most-watched sporting contests in the world.
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Virat Kohli, who played a knock for the ages during the 2022 T20 World Cup against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, said the buzz around the stadium is electrifying.
Here’s all that they said in a promotional video aired by broadcaster Star Sports in India.
Rohit Sharma: “When you play Pakistan it is always challenging. But for us, it is just another opposition that we want to beat and play well against.”
Virat Kohli: “World Cup mein alag mahaul hota hai. I don’t know what it is. World Cup is a different emotion. It’s a different feeling and you can sense that build up. There’s nervousness in the air and everyone’s buzzing and those moments we play for. Those moments are part of the whole experience. This is why you play, to experience such moments.”
“The atmosphere outside the stadium is one thing that is not noticed or spoken about but the lead up to games like this is what makes them so special. Just the buzz in the hotel, the moment I stepped on the field, I feel that energy in the stadium. Everyone is just waiting for the game to start. You can feel that palpable energy in the air.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsWe've seen the electrifying matches, and felt the pre-match buzz... now hear directly from #TeamIndia and #Pakistan cricketers as they talk about the #GreatestRivalry in this all-important #T20WorldCup clash! 🇮🇳 🇵🇰
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 8, 2024
As the #MenInBlue gear up for their biggest challenge this… pic.twitter.com/bz3LEtQ7Z9
Hardik Pandya: “The atmosphere while playing Pakistan is extra special and Pakistan is one team where I’ve been fortunate to have done well against.”
Ravindra Jadeja: “One or two days before an India vs Pakistan match, there is buzz and a build up amongst the fans. But when the match actually begins, the focus completely shifts towards the match and in playing well. Then you’re not thinking that you’re playing Pakistan, we try not to do things differently. But there’s always that expectations from the fans to get the win.”
Babar Azam: “Ever since I started playing, I have heard that the vibe and experience against India is different. Fans around the world wait for an India vs Pakistan match.”
Mohammad Rizwan: “When there is an India-Pakistan match, there is excitement all over the world because we have people around the world. The whole world is involved in a way. Automatically the hype gets intensified.”
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