LONDON: The cricket game on Sunday isn't the only sporting contest on offer featuring India and Pakistan. Both teams also square up on the hockey turf in the HWL Semifinals, and
Virat Kohli was asked if he had ever played hockey.
“I've played with synthetic hockey balls outdoors, but never tried hockey. It's very scary I feel, getting hit on the face during a penalty corner. I don't know how those guys do that. You need a lot of guts. I wish our team the best.”
Kohli revealed that he loved to “visualize” himself in pressure situations. “I visualize a lot. I see myself in difficult situations and actually convince myself I can pull the team out in those situations.”
Kohli did not want to revel in the win over Pakistan in their first league game here. “Some teams start very confidently and then they fade off. Some teams might not have the best starts, and they come back amazingly, which Pakistan has done. So everyone is aware of the kind of talent they have in their team. At the same time, neither are we too intimidated nor are we too arrogant about what we are doing.”
When asked about the additional pressure of facing Pakistan in the final, Kohli said: “It's been quite a few years I've been dealing with that, so nothing new. You can't think of those things when you step onto the field. I know there are people that expect the team and myself to do well every time that we play, but I understand as a player and as a person that it's not possible. This is a part of being an Indian cricketer.”
'PSL has helped Pak players cope with pressure'Pakistan's South African coach Mickey Arthur said on Saturday , while outlining that the “major difference“ between India and Pakistan was “exposure to pressure,“ that the success of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) could help close this gap. “The difference is exposure, exposure to massive pressure situations,“ said Arthur. “Let's be under no illusion, India are a fantastic cricket team at the moment. Exposure to highpressure situations is what India have had above Pakistan.The PCB has changed that a little bit now with the PSL as that exposes more and more young players to pressure situations.
Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed: “Defeat at Edgbaston is history now. We are in the final."
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