NEW DELHI (Web Desk/APP) – Cricket is just a game, but try telling that to the 22 players who will walk out for the India v Pakistan World Cup match in Adelaide on February 15. (In-form India chase fifth World Cup)
The Pool B contest was sold out in 20 minutes and no other team in world sport will be under as much pressure as the two that day with 1.3 billion unforgiving cricket-crazy fans following the contest ball-by-ball. (Pakistan hope to lurch from disaster to triumph at World Cup)
Emotions run high every time the South Asian neighbours clash on a cricket ground. (Ishant Rohit, Bhuvneshwar, Jadeja undergo fitness tests before World Cup)
Pakistan, champions in 1992, have never beaten twice winners India at a World Cup. (Pakistan pacer Junaid Khan out of World Cup)
Many of their fans would not mind their team crashing out from the World Cup early, providing they beat their neighbours. The rivalry assuming the Orwellian concept of serious sport – war minus shooting. (Odds stacked heavily against Team India)
“For many, it’s bigger than World Cup,” former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar told a cricket conclave in Delhi on Monday.
“It completely locks out 1.3 billion people. The tension is unbearable and the players’ effort level doubles. We could never beat India in World Cup but, God willing, that would soon happen,” said the quick known as the ‘Rawalpindi Express’.
A veteran of many such contests, Harbhajan Singh was part of the eventual champion Indian team who beat Pakistan in the 2011 semi-final at Mohali, a contest that gave him sleepless nights.
“The dressing room atmosphere is always tense,” said the feisty off-spinner who could not make the cut for this year’s World Cup.
“Much before the dressing room, you think about it in your hotel room. Before last World Cup’s match in Mohali, I could not sleep the night before, thinking what if we lose.
