The enormity of the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is not lost on Ravichandran Ashwin. The off-spinner considers it bigger than the Ashes, but feels that players of both sides will have to keep their emotions in check during Saturday's high-voltage World Twenty20 clash in Kolkata.
India and Pakistan head into the much-anticipated clash with contrasting results. The hosts suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of New Zealand while Pakistan roared into form with a crushing victory over Bangladesh.
"This rivalry is huge; it's hard to say how huge it is. It's probably bigger than the Ashes," Ashwin said, on the eve of the high-octane clash.
"As far as the Indians and Pakistanis go, I don't think they watch this game as a game of cricket. It's more of a border rivalry.
"They want to get one up on each other. There's much more rather than this game taking centerstage. As far as people are concerned, they put their emotions into the game.
"For the players, it's all about keeping their emotions aside and trying to play the best way we can."
Asked about pressure the players have to face in such a game, Ashwin said they would like to take it easy.
"We don't sit together and cram a lot of stuff into each others' head. That will eventually lead to a lot of confusion. Everybody has different plans. As for me, I plan a lot and that has given me success in the past.
"We just take it as easy as possible. As far as the Pakistan game is concerned, we will take it lightly. We are used to playing a lot of India-Pakistan games. Every game that India plays is a pressure game. We are pretty much used to it," he said.
Ashwin said India's loss in the opening match against New Zealand, in which they were bundled out for 79 in a small chase of 127, could be a blessing in disguise.
"From here on if we go through we will be more dangerous, than probably at the start of the tournament. I don't think anybody has an edge. We start 50-50. They are upbeat after beating Bangladesh but if we can raise our standard and play to our potential; we can try and win the game as well."
Asked why the Indians took the day off from training even as the Pakistanis sweated it out at the nets, Ashwin replied: "They're probably a little more hardworking than us. It was more about relaxing and nothing to do with who we are playing.
"We have been on the road for the last three months. The best thing we can do is to think of ourselves rather than sitting together and practising.
"Generally, after a game like that you tend to go to practice and try harder and eventually go into the match day a little more tired. That's the idea behind it.
"Leading up the World Cup, maintaining momentum is very important. We will have to pick it up from Eden Gardens."
