Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma Will Have A Huge Responsibility When India Take On Pakistan - Gautam Gambhir

Former India batsman Gautam Gambhir reckons senior players in the Indian team, such as captain Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, will need to shoulder the responsibility to keep the younger guys calm when they come up against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2021.

Once again the two Asian giants have been placed in the same group for an ICC event, as announced by the governing body on Friday. India and Pakistan will be joined by New Zealand, Afghanistan, and two qualifier teams in Group 2 for the T20 World Cup later this year in the UAE.

Gautam Gambhir, who has been part of several high-octane clashes with Pakistan, said that he as a youngster used to get nervous ahead of a big game against the arch-rivals. Hence, he felt, the seniors in the side will be required to take care of the juniors and not let the emotions control them.

“When I played my first international game against Pakistan I was probably much more excited and nervous as compared to some of the guys who have played a lot of cricket against Pakistan. So, it is the responsibility of the senior guys to probably keep the younger guys calm,” Gautam Gambhir told Star Sports.

“Because ultimately it is not the emotion that will win you a game of cricket, it is the contest between the bat and the ball that will end up winning you a game of cricket. So people like Virat Kohli for example, or Rohit Sharma will have a huge responsibility when India take on Pakistan,” he added.

We need to get rid of this obsession of 2007 and 2011: Gautam Gambhir

Gambhir, who was part of the twin World Cup wins in 2007 and 2011, said people and players need to get over their “obsession” with those triumphs and look in the present. The senior Indian men’s team haven’t won an ICC trophy since 2013, and have faltered plenty of times in knockout matches.

“It was special (being a part of the 2007 T20 World Cup squad), but I have forgotten about it. To be honest, India need to move on from that. 2007, it’s what, more than 13 years ago and I think we need to get rid of this obsession of 2007 and 2011,” the former KKR captain stated.

Also Read: ICC T20 World Cup 2021: 3 Reasons Why Pakistan Can Beat India In The Group Stage