DUBAI: India skipper Virat Kohli on Saturday said they will take on a “verystrong” Pakistan team in their Twenty20 World Cup opener and downplayedtheir unbeaten record against their opponents.
India has beaten Pakistan in all of their 12 matches at the T20 and 50-overWorld Cups.
“We never discussed these things, about our record and past performance,”Kohli told reporters on the eve of the much-anticipated clash in Dubai onSunday.
“These things create distractions. What matters is how we prepare andexecute on that particular day, regardless of the opposition.”
Kohli said regardless of their past dominance Pakistan is and always hasbeen packed with talented players.
“Pakistan, according to me is a very strong team and always has been astrong side,” he said.
“You have to play your best cricket against them because they have lots oftalent and players who can change the game.”
Babar Azam’s Pakistan will look to break their World Cup jinx againstIndia, who have won all five clashes in T20’s showpiece event.
Babar, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman hold the team’s batting key whilequicks Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali lead a potent bowling attack.
Kohli backed his team’s match-winners including Hardik Pandya to come goodin the tournament despite the all-rounder struggling with his bowling.
“He is getting better in terms of getting prepared to bowl two overs forus,” said Kohli.
“What he brings at that number six spot is something that you cannot createovernight and hence I was always in favour of backing him in Australia as abatter purely.
“He can take the game away from the opposition when he is in full flow.”
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Pandya emerged as India’s top all-rounder after his white-ball debut in2016 but a spate of back injuries affected his career and he underwent backsurgery two years ago.
The pace bowler did not bowl in the second leg of the Indian Premier League(IPL) in the United Arab Emirates for his side Mumbai Indians.
But Kohli says the attacking batsman is an asset to the team in theshortest format.
“We understand the value he brings to the team as a number six batter,”said Kohli.
“In world cricket, if you look around there are specialists who do that joband it is very important to have that guy especially in T20 cricket.
“He is motivated and keen to start giving us a couple of overs and whenthat happens obviously the balance becomes even better.
“But we are pretty confident how we are heading into the start of thistournament.”
The tournament is Kohli’s last as captain of the national T20 side, but herefused to speak more on the issue.
“Our focus is to play well in this World Cup and do what we need to do as ateam,” he said.
“I have explained myself very honestly (on Twitter). If people feel thereis more to it, then I feel sorry for them.” -APP/AFP
