India wicket-keeper and batsman Rishabh Pant is waiting with bated breath to take on Pakistan in the T20 World Cup opener.
The 25-year-old says there is nothing better than to play against arch-rivals on the big stage.
India will be taking on Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, October 23 in the T20 World Cup's biggest game.
When India and Pakistan faced off in the T20 World Cup in Dubai last year, Pant got a taste of what it was like to play against their biggest opponent.
"It's always special playing against Pakistan because there is a special hype around that match as always," Pant said, via T20worldcup.com.
One of cricket's many rising stars of India, Pant stated there is nothing that compares to that emotion.
"There are so much emotions involved, not only for us, but the fans and everyone," he said.
“It's a different kind of feeling, a different kind of ambience when you go on to the field and when you take on the field, you see people cheering here and there.
"It's a different atmosphere and when we were singing our national anthem, I actually get goosebumps."
Pant featured in this year's Asia Cup match against Pakistan but could not leave his mark on that occasion. However, he distinctly remembers his quickfire 39-ball innings and 53-run partnership with the then-captain Virat Kohli in the last T20 World Cup game against Pakistan.
"I fondly remember that I smacked Hasan Ali for two sixes in the same over," Pant recalled.
