Don't believe the hype, says Harbhajan

Bitter rivals India and Pakistan clash in a crucial tie on Sunday but Harbhajan Singh insists people shouldn't get swept along by the hype.

Bitter rivals India and Pakistan clash in a crucial Champions Trophy tie here on Sunday but Indian spin wizard Harbhajan Singh insists people shouldn't get swept along by the hype.

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"Of course it is a big game, but people - media and fans - make it bigger than it really is," said the mercurial off-spinner ahead of the Edgbaston match which will decide who goes into the semi-finals of the tournament.

"They think it is more than cricket, but it isn't. It is just another game. People back home expect us to win every game we play against Pakistan, so there is huge pressure there.

"They don't look at it as just a game," Harbhajan told the BBC.

Despite India winning the historic Test and one-day series played in Pakistan earlier this year, it is the Pakistanis who have held the upper hand in recent meetings winning one-day clashes at the Asian Cup and in the Netherlands.