NEW DELHI (Dunya News) – India captain Suryakumar Yadav has urged fans and media to “wait 24 hours” for clarity on the traditional post-match handshake ahead of the highly anticipated Pakistan vs India clash, stressing that the contest should be viewed purely as a game of cricket.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi ahead of the Pakistan fixture in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Yadav said the Indian team had prepared for the match strictly according to schedule and was focused on delivering its best performance on the field.
He described the Pakistan encounter as a competitive sporting event rather than an extraordinary situation, adding that his side approaches such matches with the same professional mindset as any other international fixture. He said the squad’s objective remains to play quality cricket and execute its plans effectively.
Yadav repeated that questions around the handshake between players from both sides would become clear soon, asking reporters to wait another 24 hours. He added that the team’s immediate priority was rest and match readiness, saying everyone should “eat, sleep and see what happens tomorrow.”
The India captain also acknowledged the strength of Pakistan’s bowling resources, particularly their spin attack, noting that his side had prepared specific strategies to counter them. He said Pakistan’s spinners have been performing well and India have mapped out plans to deal with their variations and control.
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Referring to Pakistan player Usman Tariq, Yadav described him as a different type of cricketer but said India would not back down against any opposition and would stick to their game plan.
He also pointed to Pakistan’s strong showing in the Asia Cup and said the team has continued to play good cricket in the current tournament. According to Yadav, matches between India and Pakistan naturally bring pressure, and success depends on controlling nerves and maintaining discipline across all phases of play.
The captain reiterated multiple times that India’s purpose at the tournament is to play good cricket and compete hard, regardless of the opponent, with full focus on performance rather than outside noise.