India captain Suryakumar Yadav didn’t mention the word ‘Pakistan’ even once during a 12-minute press conference ahead of his team’s rip-roaring Asia Cup Super-Four match in Dubai on Sunday.
In the wake of the handshake saga that followed India’s seven-wicket group-stage win over Pakistan last Sunday, the fixture has acquired renewed interest, particularly surrounding whether Suryakumar and his men will continue not to engage with their Pakistani counterparts before or after the match.
The clamour that has accompanied the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry in this Asia Cup has been more pronounced than before, with some Indians calling for a boycott of the match after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that killed 26 people.
The Indian captain admitted that insulating oneself from the ‘outside noise’ in these circumstances isn’t always easy, but he has a mantra.
“Close your room, switch off your phone and sleep,” he said with a chuckle.
“I think that is the best thing. It is easy to say, but sometimes it is difficult, because you meet a lot of friends, you go out for dinner, and you also have a lot of players around who like to see all these things. It is very difficult, but it is up to you what you want to listen to and what you want to have on your mind. Going forward, we will have to shut out a lot of noise from outside. I have made that clear to the boys,” Suryakumar added.
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After stonewalling a query on whether India would ‘continue doing all the right things’ from its group-stage clash against Pakistan, Suryakumar offered a wry smile and played down the rivalry.
“I don’t know what rivalry you are talking about. When I go to the ground, I see a packed stadium, and when I see that, I tell my team, ‘ Chalo bhai log, entertainment ka time aa gaya hai,’” Suryakumar grinned.
Though India romped home to a comprehensive victory against Pakistan last week, Suryakumar cautioned against complacency after being made to work hard by Oman on Friday in the last game of the league phase.
India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav, right, celebrates with batting partner Shivam Dube after their win in the Asia Cup cricket match against Pakistan.
| Photo Credit:
AP
India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav, right, celebrates with batting partner Shivam Dube after their win in the Asia Cup cricket match against Pakistan.
| Photo Credit:
AP
“It doesn’t give us an edge that we have played them [Pakistan] once and had a good game. We will have to start well from scratch,” Suryakumar warned.
The 35-year-old also urged fans to rally behind the team. “The country always supports us in every game. In this game, too, keep supporting us.”
Published on Sep 20, 2025
