MANCHESTER: Immune to the frenzy around every India-Pakistan clash, captain Virat Kohli says staying focused on the bigger goal was important since the tournament would not end with World Cup's most awaited match on Sunday.
While he is aware of all the hoopla around the match, Kohli won't let one World Cup contest dictate his thought process.
The Indian captain was asked, six to seven times, the same question about the external pressure, hype and how tough this match could be and he very eloquently warded off all the queries, giving away very little.
"The game starts at a certain time and finishes at a certain time. So this is not going to last a lifetime, if you do well or even if you don't," Kohli was at his pragmatic best during the pre-match interaction.
For the skipper, the bigger picture -- winning the World Cup -- is what matters the most.
"Whether we do well or not tomorrow, it's not going to finish. The tournament still has to go on and focus has to be on larger picture. No one person takes more pressure than the others.
"Eleven guys share the responsibility. The weather is not in anyone's hands. We have to see whatever amount of game we get, we need to be mentally ready to do whatever we need to," the skipper said.
Being in constant limelight has made him very conscious about the electronic media looking for that ticker-grabber and the skipper wasn't in a mood to relent.
When a journalist from the vernacular electronic media asked him about the Virat vs Aamir battle, his response was sharp.
"I will not say anything for creating TRPs and neither would I say something that creates an exciting news point. Any bowler I face, I only see the red or white ball. Yes, I respect a bowler's skill set. I had said the same about Kagiso Rabada," Kohli said.
But he did make it clear that the good bowlers need to be studied well.
"Whoever are impact bowlers in world cricket, you should be wary about their strengths but at the same time you should have that much self-belief that you can score runs against any bowler.
The result of the match will not be decided on mine or his (Aamir's) performance alone."
And he doesn't have to prove anything to anyone.
"I don't have to go out there and prove to the world that I have to win some kind of contest. I have never entertained these things till date and won't do it near future. You can even get out to a part-timer. I keep things that simple and basic."
Captain @imVkohli's focus is right on point irrespective of the opposition