‘It’s our top priority’

India skipper Virat Kohli. Pic/Getty Images

The India-Pakistan clash is always the biggest draw in a cricket World Cup. This time too it is THE game. But for India captain Virat Kohli, "it's just another game we have to play."

Talking to the media virtually, Kohli said: "For us as players and professionals, we see it as just a game of cricket. Of course, there is a lot of hype surrounding the game and the demand for tickets is huge. I have had requests from so many friends, but there are no tickets. The prices are ridiculously high as everyone wants to be a part of the match.

Big Pak clash

"So, for the cricket fans, it's a huge game, there is a lot of great atmosphere, a lot of loud noise, but we as players focus on just playing the game."

The tickets for the October 24 game in Dubai were the first to be sold out in the T20 World Cup which begin today with eight-team qualifiers. The main round of 12 teams starts on October 23.

Also Read: T20 World Cup: Dhoni as mentor will boost morale of the team further, says Kohli

Ravi Shastri. Pic/AFP

Captain Kohli touched upon many aspects, including appointment of MS Dhoni as the mentor, the inclusion of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and the farewell tournament of Ravi Shastri as the India coach.

"Yes, to win the World Cup has been a top priority for both Ravi and me. We have been planning for the event for long. We have had a very successful and fruitful stint under Ravi as the coach and his inputs are going to be crucial again. It will be great to win the World Cup in his final stint," Kohli said.

"I think we have the talent and the experience to achieve that goal. With MSD also coming into the camp, we will be guided by his huge experience. Undoubtedly, he will be a huge plus for the team, especially for the younger guys, whom he can guide during the tournament."

‘A welcome sign'

Kohli said that the inclusion of Ashwin in the team was a welcome sign for the team as the finger spinners are again becoming useful after a phase where the wrist spinners had dominated the scene.

"The wrist spinners were doing the job well for some time, but as the game has evolved, the finger spinners have come into prominence. We have Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja who have been doing well in T20 cricket and their experience and expertise will come very handy.

"We have a very balanced side with the exuberance of youth one side and the experience of established players. Going into the World Cup I feel we are in good shape and in a happy frame of mind. And as all players have just had a long run in the IPL, we are all set to take on the world," Kohli concluded.

Also Read: Team India will have a new head coach and it's Rahul Dravid!