All-rounder Axar Patel admitted that an India–Pakistan clash inevitably brings added pressure but insisted that the players consciously block out the outside noise surrounding the rivalry.

India defeated Pakistan by 61 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday night to book their place in the Super Eight stage of the ICC T20 World Cup.

“Yes, there is pressure. People around you — family and friends — talk about it, so naturally it feels a little more intense than a normal match,” Axar said at the post-match press conference.

“But as professional cricketers, we focus on controlling our emotions. We don’t think too much about the rivalry or burden ourselves with extra pressure because of it,” he added.

According to Axar, the team approaches the contest like any other fixture.

“We see them as just another team. We don’t think about rivalries. Whenever I step onto the field, I treat it as one match against an opponent.”

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India’s total of 175 for 7 was powered by a brilliant 40-ball 77 from Ishan Kishan, and Axar was full of praise for the opener’s match-defining knock.

“The way he batted was outstanding. It wasn’t easy — the ball was spinning and some deliveries were skidding under the lights. But when your confidence is high, you don’t overthink conditions,” Axar said.

He credited Kishan’s recent form for his fearless approach.

“He’s carried his domestic form into international cricket — from the New Zealand series to this tournament. He didn’t restrict himself to one area; he used the field brilliantly, playing over cover, through slip, all around the ground. That shows both confidence and skill. Full credit to him.”

Despite the pre-match narrative framing the encounter as India’s batting strength versus Pakistan’s spin attack, Axar dismissed such discussions as external noise.

“We focus on our strengths. That talk about India batting versus Pakistan spin is outside noise. We concentrate on our plans and execution — whether we’re batting or bowling first, how the pitch is behaving — those are the things that matter to us,” he said.

India’s emphatic win ensured qualification for the Super Eights, while Pakistan now face a must-win situation in their final group match.