India vs Pakistan: Emotions run high as bitter rivals gear up for Eden showdown

Kolkata: Emotions will run high when Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Team India take to the field to face bitter rivals Pakistan in the ICC World T20 on Saturday.

Ranked number one in the tournament, India are under pressure after a shocking loss to New Zealand in the tournament’s Super 10 opener while Pakistan demolished Asian rivals Bangladesh by 55 runs.

It will clearly be a battle between Indian batsmen and Pakistani bowlers. "After the loss to New Zealand, India are under far more pressure against Pakistan. I feel Pakistan start as favourites for the game on Saturday," said veteran Sunil Gavaskar.

However, Indian bowlers too have done a commendable job in the recent past with the likes of veteran Ashish Nehra and young Jasprit Bumrah leading the attack from the front. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have also struck at vital moments.

Dhoni’s captaincy will be a major plus coupled with Virat Kohli’s golden form and Bumrah’s accuracy. The win against Bangladesh will be a confidence booster for the Men in Green who possess a quality bowling attack.

A cause of concern for India would be the brittle lower order and the batsmen vulnerability to pace and bounce. However, the top order has been in fine form.

Rohit Sharma, who has made Eden Gardens his happy hunting ground and scored plenty whenever he has walked out to bat, would wish to continue his love affair with the stadium against Pakistan. His splendid double ton (264 off 173) against Sri Lanka in 2014 in an ODI match at the historic stadium will be in every cricket lovers' mind.

Pakistan also have their weak points — sloppy fielding and batting inconsistency to name a few.

Dhoni and Co will be desperate for a win and Pakistan coach Waqar Younis feels this would be the best chance for Pakistan to end their poor record against their neighbours.

The numbers, however, favour Pakistan at Eden Gardens. In the limited-overs format, Pakistan have won all four ODIs at the venue. But in the shortest format, India have played Pakistan seven times and lost only once but never in a World Cup.

This will be the teams’ first T20I at Eden Gardens.