Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant open up about India, Pakistan T20 World Cup clash

The Indian cricket team is set to start its T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Ireland on June 5. However, the much-anticipated match against Pakistan on June 9 is already drawing significant attention.

Vice-captain Hardik Pandya, on Star Sports' 'Caught and Bold,' thanked fans for their support, emphasizing his need to focus solely on the game despite the hype.

 “There is a crowd everywhere you go. I’m sure in this group as well everyone wants to make sure we win the India-Pakistan game. So that is very normal, which I accept. At the same point of time, I do my best to disconnect from all those things and focus on the sport,” Pandya said.

“I’m very grateful to fans, they come and support us with all love and everything. But, at the same point of time, when we go inside there we can’t think of anything else,” he added.

Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant also commented on the high stakes of the India-Pakistan matchup, describing it as a ‘special’ game.

“It’s always quite exciting because it’s a special match. You always feel more pressure because people remember these matches for a long time,” Pant told Star Sports.

India and Pakistan have faced off seven times in T20 World Cups, with India winning five matches and Pakistan winning one. The other match ended in a tie, with India winning the bowl-out. Pakistan's sole victory came in 2021 when Babar Azam's team defeated Virat Kohli's team.