SPORTS

'We will lose to Pakistan at some point...we can't always keep winning'

March 21, 2016 10:05 IST

IMAGE: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi with his Indian counterapart MS Dhoni at the toss during World T20 match at Eden Gardens. Photograph: PTI.

It's a record he is proud of but Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni feels the unbeaten run against Pakistan in ICC world events also adds to the pressure on his team, which is mindful of the fact that the streak is bound to end some day. 

India beat Pakistan by six wickets last night in a World Twenty20 Super 10 clash, taking the overall head-to-head record against the arch-foes in the ICC events to 11-0.

"Like the pressure of 0-11 on them, we too feel the heat. It's like we are expected to make it 12-0 but if we lose, people would say, 'Oh you could not win'," said Dhoni. 

"We are proud of the fact that we are 11-0 up. But it is a reality that we will also lose at some point of time, if it's not today, then it will be after 10, 20 or 50 years... We can't always keep winning," he said. 

IMAGE: India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni shakes hands with his Pakistan counterpart Shahid Afridi. Photograph: Solaris Images.

Asked the secret of India's winning run, Dhoni said it was to keep everything simple. 

"Our team has evolved a lot and somehow in the ICC events, especially if you see the Champions Trophy or the last (ODI) World Cup. We have played good cricket, it's something to be proud of but at the same time, you've to play with the same intensity," he said.

The win came after their shocking 47-run loss to New Zealand on a turning Nagpur wicket, which snapped their seven match winning streak. Dhoni said the side is not intimidated by an early loss as it has shown the ability to bounce back on several occasions.

"We have been in this position quite a few times. You know how to turn it around. The credit needs to go to the players and support staff. To come back strong shows the character the boys have.

"It's very important to back them. Still I feel that there are areas which we can improve," he said. 

Recommended by Rediff.com

NEXT ARTICLE

NewsBusinessMoviesSportsCricketGet AheadDiscussionLabsMyPageVideosCompany Email