World T20: India-Pakistan rivalry is 'huge' and bigger than Ashes, says Ashwin

Kolkata, March 18: Star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has described the cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan bigger than the Australia-England's Ashes.

World T20 Special Site; Photos; Ind-Pak match preview

Talking to the media ahead of their ICC World Twenty20 match against Pakistan, Ashwin said India-Pakistan rivalry was "huge". (10 facts about the game)

"This rivalry is huge. It is hard to put a finger and say how huge it is. Probably this is bigger than Ashes (Australia Vs England)," Ashwin told reporters on Friday (March 18).

According to Ashwin, fans watching India-Pakistan matches put emotions into the contests.

"As far as Indians and Pakistanis go, I don't think they watch this as a game of cricket. It is more of a border rivalry. They want to get one up on each other. There is much more to the particular game in itself rather than the game taking centrestage.

"As far as people are concerned, they put the emotions into the game. For the players it is trying to keep the emotions aside and try to play in the best way we can," he added.

India and Pakistan face off tomorrow (March 19) at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. India have never lost to Pakistan in their previous 4 meetings in World T20.

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