India skipper Suryakumar Yadav asked the media to stop calling India-Pakistan cricket matches a ‘rivalry’. He explained that a true rivalry exists when both teams compete evenly, whereas in this fixture, one team has dominated for years. The Men in Blue began their Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 campaign with a six-wicket win over Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, September 21.
After winning the toss and bowling first, India restricted Pakistan to 171/5 and comfortably chased the target in 18.5 overs. At the post-match press conference, Suryakumar highlighted that the hype around India-Pakistan encounters is unnecessary given India’s sustained dominance. On being asked about Pakistan, he stated:
“Sir, I would want to say one thing on this question. I think you guys should stop asking questions on this rivalry. If two teams play 15-20 matches and if the head-to-head is 7-7 or 8-7, then that is good question and that is called rivalry. 13-0, 10-1; I don’t know what the stats are, but this is not a rivalry anymore. I feel we played better cricket than them.”
Suryakumar Yadav backs flexible batting order against Pakistan
India have been trying out different batting positions in T20Is. In their last game against Oman, Sanju Samson came in at No. 3 and scored a fifty. However, against Pakistan on Sunday, captain Suryakumar Yadav chose to bat immediately after the first wicket. When asked about the importance of a flexible batting lineup, he said:
“I think, barring openers, up to No. 7 and No. 8, everyone needs to be flexible in batting. We have both left-handers and right-handers. There are power hitters and there are some players who can manage the game. It will all depend on the need of the hour. If someone has scored a 50 at No. 3 or No. 4 and if that batter has to go in at No. 6 in the next game, they have accepted this.”
“In this format, if players can make their impact, even in small ways, we can be a very dangerous team,” Suryakumar concluded.
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