World T20: India not under pressure against Pakistan, says Ashwin

Kolkata, March 18: Despite losing the opening game in ICC World Twenty20, India, according to team's leading spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, are not under pressure as they gear up to face Pakistan tomorrow (March 19).

World T20 Special Site; Photos; Match preview

India, favourites to win World T20, were handed a shock 47-run defeat by New Zealand in their first match at Nagpur on March 15 (Tuesday). Now, they are in a must-win situation in the remaining 3 Group 2 contests in the Super 10 stage.

On Saturday, Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led India lock horns with arch rivals Pakistan at Eden Gardens. While most of them talk about pressure in this high-voltage clash, Ashwin has a different opinion. (10 facts about Ind-Pak game)

"I don't think we see a lot of pressure in this game," reasoned Ashwin as he faced the media today (March 18). (WT20 schedule)

He added, "We are used to playing a lot of India-Pakistan games. Every game India plays is a pressure game. We are pretty much used it."

"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," Ashwin, who is one of the key players for tomorrow's game, added.

According the off-spinner, nobody has an edge for Saturday's match. "I don't think anybody has an edge (in this contest). We start 50-50. Pakistan played wonderfully against Bangladesh. They are supposed to be upbeat. If we can play to our potential we can try and win the game," he explained.

Pakistan go into the match after thrashing Bangladesh at the same venue by 55 runs. For India, they hold edge against in World Cup contests, having never lost in previous 4 meetings at World T20.

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