It's not KKR vs Sourav Ganguly match: Gambhir

Loyalties have been divided for the much-anticipated clash with many seeing it as a revenge match for Ganguly who, was snubbed by the Knight Riders and remained unsold in the auction after a bitter three-season association.

But the Pune Warriors gave Ganguly a fresh lease of life by appointing him the skipper and he is all set to lead the side from the visitors dressing room for the first time at his 'home ground' Eden Gardens.

"It's just the media that is creating the hype. For me, it's just another game of cricket. Sourav is an individual. We are playing against Pune Warriors and not against Sourav Ganguly," Gambhir said on the match eve.

"Whoever Kolkata wants to support they are free to support. I have always maintained KKR belongs to Kolkata. There is no other team that belongs to Kolkata," Gambhir said.

"We always play for the pride of Kolkata. We will always do that, whether we get the support or not. We go out there to make people happy and bring joy to them. Our job will be the same whether we would be the away or home team tomorrow. We will keep playing for Kolkata be it tomorrow or near future," the left-hander said.

Knight Riders bowling consultant Wasim Akram had reportedly touted the tomorrow's match as that of an India-Pakistan clash but Gambhir disagreed.

"We are playing against Pune Warriors and there is no such rivalry as Pakistan. India and Pakistan is a completely different ball game," he said.

"That's his (Akram's) view of looking at the tomorrow's game. For me, it's another game of cricket. There is nothing so-called India vs Pakistan."

"It's important to certain extent. To win a game you need to play well on that given day. I've always maintained that it's just another game of cricket. We will approach the same way as we have approached all the other games. More