Former India captain Anil Kumble spoke about the pressure of India vs Pakistan matches during his time and how the current players can cope with the same when the two sides clash in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 and the World Cup later in the year.

India and Pakistan only play in ACC and ICC tournaments since their bilateral ties ended in 2012-13. India has had an upper hand in World Cup tournaments, losing only once in T20 World Cups and remaining unbeaten in the ODI ICC event.

However, Pakistan had the better of India in the Champions Trophy tournament, even defeating them in the final of the 2017 edition.

Anil Kumble was part of three World Cup encounters against Pakistan in 1996, 1999, and 2003 and has an envious record against the rivals with 81 wickets from 15 Tests and 54 wickets in 34 ODIs.

He said that the key for India to do well against Pakistan will be to take it as just another game of cricket.

“In our times, the word was ‘lose even to Kenya but not to Pakistan’. There was pressure and expectation on the players. That’s how the matches between India and Pakistan are being played and the key is to treat it as just another match,” Kumble said at an event.

Kumble also talked about his world record 10-wicket haul in Delhi Test against Pakistan, where he became only the second bowler to take all 10 wickets in an innings.

“I did not go onto the field thinking of a 10-wicket haul, though that is the dream of any bowler. However, in the next Test match against Pakistan, the Asian Test Championship at Kolkata, I was struggling to take even one wicket. That is the game of cricket for you,” he said.

India will face Pakistan most likely on October 14 in the World Cup 2023 in Ahmedabad.

(PTI inputs)