ICC World T20 2016: 5 things to look forward to in the India-Pakistan clash

After the excited anticipation of yet another India-Pakistan clash in a T20 World Cup gave way to a pale shadow of nervous suspense, following unwanted political interventions, the palpable sense of happiness across borders could not be missed as Shahid Afridi's troops finally landed in Kolkata, albeit a slight delay, to participate in the multinational event. With the venue of the marquee fixture being shifted from the scenic Dharamsala to the historical Eden Gardens, Kolkata has turned into a virtual fortress as it awaits a game between two nations where cricket has failed to remain just a mere game.With cricket taking center stage after days of uncertainty, here are 5 things to look forward to in what is, hopefully, expected to be a grand spectacle for all eyes.

#1 Rohit Sharma\'s love affair with Eden Gardens

Rohit Sharma promises to produce yet another match-winning knock on his favourite hunting ground

VVS Laxman, way back in 2001, stamped his authority over Eden Gardens with a career-defining knock of 281 against Australia, which made him an instant favourite of the cricket crazy city. However, if there is one cricketer who has threatened to overshadow Laxman's love affair with this famed stadium, it is Rohit Sharma, who, it seems, can never have enough of this stadium.

Besides making his Ranji Trophy debut here, the Mumbaikar also earned his maiden Test call-up at this venue. A Test century, the record-breaking knock 264 in the ODI format, as well as an IPL hundred against Kolkata Knight Riders, makes Rohit the only batsman in the world to have a century across all formats in Kolkata.

The batsman, who was awarded the captaincy of Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League at Eden Gardens as well, has led his team to two IPL trophies, in 2013 and 2015. Yes, Eden Gardens was the venue of the final on both occasions.

With an unbeaten knock of 98 in the T20 warm-up match against West Indies in Calcutta, a Rohit carnage can not be ruled out yet again as the two arch rivals face off on Saturday.

#2 Kohli vs Amir

A contest between India and Pakistan has always been touted as an engaging battle between India's batting against Pakistan's bowling, with the duels providing some of the best encounters in cricketing history. (Remember Sachin Tendulkar smashing Shoaib Akhtar in Centurion, way back in 2003?)

As the two teams step out on the field on 19th March, all eyes will be fixed on India's (and probably the world's) best batsman and Pakistan's best bowler, Virat Kohli and Mohammad Amir, whose heroics could end up deciding the fate of the match.

Amir's perfect line and length had created havoc in the Indian batting unit less than a month ago, when the two teams clashed in the Asia Cup. Kohli, who had held his nerve to guide India to a hard fought triumph, did not shy away from lavishing praise on the young pacer, who has made a memorable comeback into international cricket after a gap of more than five years.

With the Eden pitch expected to be on the slower side, Kohli is likely to come out trumps in what promises to be a mouthwatering affair, especially if India ends up batting second.

#3 Will the \"favourites\" for the World Cup get back to winning ways?

Much has been written about the unpredictability factor in the shortest format of the game, which was on full display in the World Cup opener between hosts India and New Zealand.

Unanimously termed as the outright favourites to clinch their second T20 World Cup crown, the Indians got a dose of their own medicine as they were sheepishly outfoxed by the Kiwi spinners in Nagpur, succumbing to a mammoth 47 run loss.

Pakistan, who are synonymous with the term inconsistent, got off to a contrasting start as compared to India in their World Cup opener, winning against Asian giant killers Bangladesh by 55 runs.

With Ahmed Shehzad and Shahid Afridi in good nick, the Indian bowlers have their task cut out in a must win game.

Considering the short tournament, one loss is enough to send a team packing, and with a lowly Net Run Rate of -2.35, it is imperative that MS Dhoni's troops get back to their winning ways in a convincing manner.

With 10 T20 wins in 11 matches this year before the start of the tournament, India's shock result to New Zealand should have shaken the Indian dressing room, but the Men in Blue have it in them to emerge triumphant when their backs are against the wall. Who better than Pakistan to get their campaign back on track against.

#4 Numbers game: Which team will create history?

One thing is for sure, history will be rewritten at Eden Gardens on Saturday, as far as numbers are considered at least.

Last heard, the Pakistan cricket team were licking their lips in delight after the clash was shifted to Kolkata, considering the number of results that have favoured them at the venue.

Out of 14 International games played at this venue, Pakistan have lost only 2, winning 7 with 5 games ending in a draw. However, it is their record against India which makes the Indian fan anxious with skepticism. The visitors hold a perfect all-win record against their arch rivals, winning all 4 One Day International games that have been staged at Sourav Ganguly's home turf.

On the other hand, the Indians have never lost to Pakistan in any World Cup match. Yes, a 10 match unbeaten streak, in both the 50 over and 20 over formats, makes for a rather proud record to have.

In the end, it is to be seen whether Pakistan can seize this opportunity to end their winless streak, much like the official broadcaster has been urging them to, or the Eden jinx can finally be conquered by India.

#5 The atmosphere of Eden Gardens

The political conflict and the fiasco over the ticket distributions will take a back seat when the two teams step out for the national anthems, to be sung by eminent personalities from the two nations on Saturday.

There can not be a grander spectacle than an India-Pakistan game in a World Cup game at Eden Gardens. With each boundary and wicket to be lustily cheered by a boisterous crowd of over 70,000, there is no overlooking the crowd factor, which at Eden, often has been termed as the 12th man.

With a host of legends, including Sachin Tendulkar, to be felicitated, the City of Joy is ready to erupt as it always does, chanting names of the home team and getting under the skin of the opposition.

The match, which was handed over to Kolkata due to security concerns in Dharamsala, is being seen as a karmic compensation of the loss of the India-England tie in the 2011 World Cup, which was shifted from Kolkata to Bengaluru.

Come Saturday and all roads in Kolkata will lead to Eden Gardens in what will be a night to remember for both the players and the fans.