Virat Kohli: Pakistan clash not more special than other World Cup matches

Virat Kohli recalled a conversation between Shahid Afridi and Wahab Riaz during the 2011 World Cup semifinal as the funniest moment he remembers from India-Pakistan clashes.

Virat Kohli, addressing a press conference in Manchester on Saturday, said the match against Pakistan is not the end of the World Cup for his team (Reuters Photo)

Virat Kohli, speaking at a press conference in Manchester on Saturday, a day before the clash between India and Pakistan, said the atmosphere in the Indian dressing room is no different than before any other match.

“We have literally discussed nothing different. The atmosphere in the dressing room is the same. No one game is more important or more special than the other,” he said.

“The game starts at a certain time tomorrow and ends at a certain time, it won’t be lasting a lifetime. Our tournament doesn’t end tomorrow. The focus always is on the bigger picture,” he added.

It’s a full house here at Old Trafford as #TeamIndia Captain @imVkohli addresses the media on the eve of #INDvPAK #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/aYgCOuXVnE

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 15, 2019

Speaking on how the Indian team management is preparing for the opposition, Kohli said, “We know they have a lot of talent in their team, but we are focussing on what we need to do. We believe if we play to our best, we can beat any team in the world.”

“The conditions and length of the game will dictate the composition. We are not looking at the opposition to select our XI,” he added.

India have gone in with two spinners in their World Cup matches so far, with Mohammed Shami sitting out. Asked whether India could field three specialist pacers on Sunday, Kohli said, “We have to be flexible in our approach. If the conditions are very different than last game, if pace becomes a more potent option, then we will take a call accordingly. Let’s see how today pans out.”

Kohli was asked to elaborate on the tensest and funniest moments he remembers from India-Pakistan clashes. On when he felt the most pressure, he said, “My most tense moment against Pakistan was in the 2009 Champions Trophy. I had just flown in and played a bad shot. I couldn’t sleep till 6 am, thinking my career is over.”

Captain @imVkohli‘s focus is right on point irrespective of the opposition 💪💪🇮🇳🇮🇳 #TeamIndia #CWC19 #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/ZnCfphD3EA

— BCCI (@BCCI) 15 June 2019

Looking for passes for the Ind-Pak clash? @imVkohli has a special message for you guys 😁😁👌👌 #TeamIndia #CWC19 #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/Ffahfp90Wz

— BCCI (@BCCI) 15 June 2019

“The funniest moment was in the 2011 World Cup semifinal. I was at the non striker’s end and heard a conversation between Wahab Riaz and Shahid Afridi, the details of which I can’t go into here,” he said.

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On the highly billed duel against Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir, Kohli said, “I don’t want to say anything for TRP. I had spoken about Rabada as well earlier, I just see the ball, whether it’s red or white, it’s not a contest between me and Amir, these are not things that come to mind.”

He however accepted that it’s not fair to expect that fans would be very logical in their thought process.

“I can’t tell fans to think in a particular manner. We have a professional approach to the game as we can’t get too emotional or over excited. So, mindset of the players will be different from that of fans.

“Our attention span has to be very precise on field. We have that split second to make a decision but from a fans point of view I would say that it’s not easy to think like a player.”