ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan Se Nahi Haarna - Kapil Dev Opens Up On India-Pakistan Rivalry

Former India skipper Kapil Dev has opened up on the fierce India-Pakistan rivalry as both the teams gear up to take on each other in the coming weeks. India and Pakistan will be playing against each other at least twice in the next three months.

With all the bilateral relations between the two countries suspended, India and Pakistan play against each other only in Asia Cup and ICC tournaments. They last played against each other in the T20 World Cup last year where India registered a thrilling win over the arch-rivals.

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They will be resuming their rivalry in the upcoming Asia Cup. Both the teams along with Nepal are in Group A. India and Pakistan are scheduled to play against each other on September 2. There is a possibility that they might play against each other thrice if they make it to the final. After the Asia Cup, India and Pakistan will be playing against each other in the World Cup.

Kapil Dev on India-Pakistan rivalry:

With the fans eagerly waiting for the Men in Blue and their counterparts in Green to take on each other, Kapil Dev has opened up on the rivalry. In an interview with the Week, he was asked if there’s ‘too much pressure’ around the games between the arch-rivals. In reply, the World Cup-winning captain said:

“What is pressure? Pressure doesn’t come when you’re facing the ball. It starts building up when your waiter gives you coffee and says, ‘Pakistan se nahi haarna (don’t lose to Pakistan)’. So that’s how the build-up takes place.

He was further asked whether he is friends with any Pakistani cricketers of his generation and if he remains in touch with them. Replying to the answer, Kapil Dev hinted that he has good relations with former Pakistan captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan but is not in touch with him due to his busy schedule.

“I don’t meet my own team members because I’m doing my own thing. I will ask you a similar question – are you in touch with all your school friends? Because we have drifted away or have our own life. How can I meet Imran Khan? He was the prime minister,” he explained.

“He has gone into a different phase. I would like to meet him, but does he have so much free time? So many people studied or spent time with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Does he have time for everybody? No,” added Kapil Dev.

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