T20 World Cup: 'Kohli, Rohit will have huge responsibility when India takes on Pakistan,' says Gautam Gambhir

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Picture/ AFP

The much-awaited T20 World Cup match schedule was recently announced by the ICC and India is placed in the same group as Pakistan.

India and Pakistan, who have produced epic clashes on the cricket field, are placed in Group 2 along with World Test Championship winners New Zealand and Afghanistan.

Speaking exclusively on Star Sports show ICC T20 World Cup Special, former Team India batsman Gautam Gambhir thinks Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will have a huge responsibility when India takes on Pakistan, "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've played a lot of cricket against Pakistan. So, it is the responsibility of the senior guys to probably keep the younger guys calm; because ultimately it's 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 Indian takes on Pakistan."

Former Team India batsman Robin Uthappa highlighted the significance of an India-Pakistan clash during a World Cup, "It just brings out so many emotions, expectations and people always look forward to it. I think, any cricketer who has played in the past or anyone who looks to play for India is always looking forward to an India-Pakistan game. Because it brings out a lot of emotions - at least for the people who watch the game, more than the people playing it."

Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa also spoke on how India should get rid of its obsession with 2007 and 2011 World Cup wins.

Gautam Gambhir: It was special (being a part of the 2007 T20 World Cup squad), but I have forgotten about it. To be honest, India needs 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.

Robin Uthappa: Of course, for me personally, it's a special moment, but I tend to agree with Gautam Gambhir. I think we have achieved that in 20007, so we know that is achievable.

The T20 World Cup is set to take place in the UAE and Oman from October 17 to November 14.

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