My response on Ind-Pak WC match has nothing to do with Tendulkar's statement: Sourav Ganguly

Former India captain and Bengal cricket boss Sourav Ganguly on Sunday said that his latest remark on much-hyped Indo-Pak clash in CWC2019 was not against Sachin Tendulkar’s comment

Former India captain and Bengal cricket boss Sourav Ganguly on Sunday said that his latest remark on much-hyped Indo-Pak clash in CWC2019 was not against Sachin Tendulkar’s comment. India icon Tendulkar had stressed on the fact that not playing Pakistan may backfire India in the tournament. Instead, India would be better off beating Pakistan than forfeiting the June 16 clash.

Reacting to Sachin Tendulkar's comment, Ganguly told reporters, "He wants two points against Pakistan, I want the World Cup. Whichever way you look at it."

Ganguly, however, claimed in a tweet on Sunday that his statement has nothing to do with Tendulkar's statement. The 46-year-old also said that he and Sachin Tendulkar have been "friends for last 25 years".

"A lot of people in the media is trying to put my statement against sachin's when I said 'I want the World Cup' My response has got nothing to do with his statement, nor is my statement against his .. he is, has been and will be one of my best friends for last 25 years," Ganguly said on Twitter.

A lot of people in the media is trying to put my statement against sachin s when I said “I want the World Cup”My response has got nothing to do with his statement, nor is my statement against his .. he is, has been and will be one of my best friends for last 25 years @sachin_rt

— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) February 24, 2019

The great Indian batsman responded on Ganguly's tweet, saying: "Never felt the need for you to justify. Strongly believe that all of us want what's best for our nation."

Never felt the need for you to justify. Strongly believe that all of us want what’s best for our nation. https://t.co/zUZYBVlCdh

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 24, 2019

With his statement, Tendulkar had endorsed Sunil Gavaskar's view that India would be better off beating Pakistan in the World Cup than forfeiting the June 16 tie in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel.