• Source:JND
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India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025: Amid the ongoing controversy, the focus will once again shift to the India vs Pakistan match, which is scheduled to take place in the super fours of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

India ended their group campaign with three successive victories and will be heading into the match on the back of a 21-run win in their previous fixture against Oman. India have already defeated Pakistan earlier in the tournament and after that match the Men in Blue refused the customary handshakes with the Pakistani players that led to a massive controversy involving the Pakistan Cricket Board and the match-referee Andy Pycroft.

The situation was such that Pakistan even threatened a pullout. As India gears up to face Pakistan again, Yadav was asked whether India would repeat the 'same' act in the Super 4 clash too.

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In the press conference after the Oman game, Suryakumar was asked, "In the last match against Pakistan, apart from the bat, India did well in the remaining aspects as well. In the next match, can we expect India to do the same as in the previous game?"

It was an obvious reference to the 'No Handshake' policy.

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However, Yadav gave a smart reply, despite fully understanding what the reporter was trying to imply: "Oh, you mean good performance with the ball? Yes, definitely. There's a good combination of performance with both bat and ball. It feels so good when a stadium is jam-packed and you get support from such a big crowd. We just want to put our best foot forward for the country and do our best in the game."

Notably, Suryakumar played a match-winning knock of 47 runs and even finished the match with a six before heading back to the pavilion without any post-match interaction with the opponents. In the post-match presentation and press conference, the Indian skipper ended up dedicating the win to the victims of the Pahalgam Terror Attack and the Indian Armed Forces.

"Close your room, switch off your phone and sleep. I think that's the best thing. It's easy to say, but sometimes it is difficult because you meet a lot of friends, you go out for dinner, and you have a lot of players who like to see all these things, so it's very difficult," the straight-talking Suryakumar said on the eve of another tense game.

"...it's on you what you want to listen to, what you want to have in your mind and go on and have a practice session or go on and have a game." Amid all this, the focus needs to be on the game.

"I have been very clear with all the boys. I think it's very important if we want to do well in this tournament and going forward, we will have to shut out a lot of noise from outside and take what is good for you.

"I am not saying shut the noise completely, but take what is good for you, and someone can give you good advice as well, which can help you in the game and on the ground."