Jasprit Bumrah. (Reuters Photo)

Twenty years ago, on June 8, 1999, when India last played Pakistan in a World Cup game at Old Trafford, seamer Venkatesh Prasad took five for 27 to bowl India to a 47-run win. Speaking to TOI on the eve of the marquee clash between the arch-rivals at the same historic venue, Prasad gave a first person account of that day in Manchester while conceding that India's current pace battery is ahead of the one he was part of...

World Cup Schedule | Points Table

"It's been two decades since that game - a long time indeed! I remember that it was a must-win game for us. We had to defend a small score (227). Though the wicket was helping the fast bowlers, we'd to bowl in the right areas to defend it. The bowlers had to step up. Pakistan had a formidable batting lineup back then. So it wasn't easy, more so given the hype around the game. I wouldn't say it was my effort - of course (Javagal) Srinath, Debasis Mohanty bowled well too, and we were backed up by Anil Kumble.

I was a bit lucky to get those five wickets (for 27 runs)! Defending a small score, your fielding has to step up. Our fielding was outstanding in that game. The way Mohammad Azharuddin and Kumble took some catches in the slip cordon and at gully was outstanding. Nayan Mongia behind the stumps too was terrific. Overall, our catching was top class. There was a dropped chance somewhere, but by and large our ground fielding and catching was outstanding.

What was important in that game was self-belief. It wasn't just about bowling in the right areas and defending a small score. It was about believing that you could do it. This is what the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Azharuddin and Srinath instilled in the team. We just wanted to fight till the last run. We never gave up.

When Srinath gave us the first two wickets, everyone started believing we could win and chipping in with their efforts, producing wicket-taking deliveries. I felt lucky that I was name as the 'Man of the Match.' It was a good feeling. It was a wonderful game.

In England, the fast bowlers will enjoy bowling, no matter what the conditions are. Even if its summer, and its bright and sunny, you'll still get swing. I mean when people say that they're not getting enough swing there, I get a little surprised. With two new balls now, you should be able to get swing for 10-12 overs with each ball.

We're definitely the favourites going into this game on Sunday. Our fast bowling is now one of the best in the world. In fact, our current crop of fast bowlers - Jasprit Bumrah , Bhuvneshwar Kumar Mohammad Shami - are far better than we were. They've got a fantastic seam position, swing, variation and pace. They're a full package. They're very talented and skilled.

Amongst my wickets, I remember Saeed Anwar's pretty well. He was caught at second slip by a diving Azhar. That was a time when he was playing really well, hitting the ball superbly. A couple of years earlier, he had notched up a score of 194- a world record back then. So, that wicket was very crucial. It was nice to know that all the 10 wickets were picked up by the Karnataka bowlers - I got five, Srinath three and Anil two."

