In a press conference leading up to India’s highly anticipated Asia Cup clash against Pakistan, captain Suryakumar Yadav chose not to explicitly name their formidable opponents. However, he left no doubt about his intentions, promising 1.4 billion Indians a truly ‘fantastic Sunday’ of cricket.
This upcoming match marks India’s second encounter with Pakistan in a week, following their emphatic seven-wicket victory on September 14. While the previous game featured exceptional performances, it was overshadowed by a controversial ‘handshake drama.’
Speaking from Abu Dhabi, Suryakumar, brimming with nationalistic fervor, attributed the team’s comprehensive win over Pakistan to their meticulous preparations. “I feel our preparations have been really good leading into this tournament. We had three good games. We are actually focusing on what we can do to get the best possible result. We want to follow all the good habits which we have been doing in the last two-three games. And we will take one game at a time,” a beaming Surya told reporters.
He further added, “It doesn’t give us an edge that we have played them once, we had a good game. We will have to start from scratch and whoever plays well will win the game.”
The Indian captain reiterated his call for players to block out external noise surrounding the high-stakes match. He even offered a practical, albeit humorous, tip: “Go to your room. Shut your phone and sleep.”
Reflecting on their recent victories, including the one against Oman, he stated, “Hum log itna kuch sochte nahi hai teen game khele hum abhi teeno game jeetne mein utna hi maza aaya. Aaj bhi utna hi maza aaya jitna iske pehle waale game (Pakistan) mein maza aaya tha.” (We don’t think that much. We’ve played three games now, and winning all three has been equally enjoyable. This one [vs Oman] was just as much fun as the previous game against Pakistan).
Without delving into the details of the ‘handshake drama’ that unfolded last Sunday, Suryakumar explained his enjoyment of playing against arch-rivals Pakistan.
“Bat aur ball ka acha contest tha pichle match mein. Pura stadium bhara hota hai, best crowd hota hai.”
Suryakumar Yadav on India vs Pakistan matches
He chuckled, saying, “Bat aur ball ka acha contest tha pichle match mein” (It was a good contest between bat and ball in the last match). He added, “Pura stadium bhara hota hai, best crowd hota hai” (The stadium is always full, the crowd is the best).
The Indian captain also addressed the initial social media trolling faced by the team before the last match against Pakistan, noting that it swiftly transformed into widespread happiness following their victory. “Jeete na isiliye khushi manaya” (We won, that’s why everyone was happy), he remarked, emphasizing the immense support the team receives. “I feel we always get our country’s support. We get support in every game we play.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming fixture, Surya assured the 1.4 billion Indians back home that they would indeed have a “fantastic Sunday.”
“It is Sunday, more people will watch the match. They should just sit and enjoy the game. We will go to the ground, we will play with the same intensity, same energy. We try to bring our A game as always,” he declared.
When questioned if the match against Pakistan was the best he had ever been part of, the Indian captain humbly replied, “The best match for me was when I played for India.” He elaborated on his deep pride: “All the matches I have played for India have always been a proud moment for me. Every time I step out wearing the team’s jersey, I am always excited. I am always proud to be part of this team.”
Concluding with a personal insight, he shared, “Aapne dekha hoga ki national anthem mein main apni aankh band kar leta hoon” (You must have noticed that I close my eyes during the national anthem). “I keep thinking about the match and I am always grateful to God for giving me this opportunity to play for my country as long as I can.”