Ashwin believes India under no pressure in the World T20 clash against Pakistan

Despite losing the opening game in World T20, India, according to team’s leading spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, is not under pressure as they gear up to face arch-rivals Pakistan tomorrow at Eden Gardens. India labelled the favourites to win the marquee event, were handed a shock 47-run defeat by New Zealand in their first match at Nagpur on March 15. Now, they are in a must-win situation in the remaining 3 Group 2 contests in the Super 10 stage.

The off-spinner is India’s leading wicket-taker with 47 wickets from 39 matches at an average of 21.78. He has a decent economy rate of 6.87 including a best of 4/8. On Saturday, Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led India will lock horns with Pakistan in Kolkata. While most of them talk about pressure in this high-voltage clash, Ashwin has a different opinion.

“I don’t think we see a lot of pressure in this game. It is not about the pressure. We should be able to handle it. More than who we are playing, it is T20 World Cup. We are in that position where we have to win every game from here. That is more important,” reasoned Ashwin as he faced the media today.

“This rivalry is huge. It is hard to say how huge it is. It is probably bigger than Ashes. As far as Indians and Pakistanis go, it is more of a border rivalry. Both teams want to get one-up on each other,” Ashwin said ahead of the high-voltage game

Pakistan goes into the match after thrashing Bangladesh at the same venue by 55 runs. The visitors have never won against India in six 50-over World Cup matches (1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2011 and 2015). They have also come out second best in four World T20 encounters (two in 2007 and in 2012, 2014) however have never been beaten by the Men in Blue in 4 ODIs at Eden Gardens.