India vs Pakistan: Will Indian players avoid handshakes with Pakistani players again? Here is what Suryakumar Yadav said to the media

It's been a week since India and Pakistan played the league encounter of the ongoing Asia Cup. The match was one-sided with Suryakumar Yadav's men emerging victorious by seven wickets and 25 balls to spare. There weren't many thrills on offer in the game but what is an India-Pakistan game without some spice and drama? Except that here, the events unfolded before and after the game. Suryakumar and India opted not to shake hands with Pakistan players, a decision that caused a furore amongst the Pakistan team, their players and fans.

A week later, the two teams will face-off once more on another Sunday (September 21), this time in the Super 4s stage. While the usual questions lingered around the marquee clash, Suryakumar wasn't going to be spared of the 'handshakes question' by the media. The Indian captain was asked whether he and his team would avoid shaking hands with Pakistan players once more, like they did in the league game. However, the 35-year-old kept a poker face to the question and kept his cards close to his chest by dodging the question and opted to keep the focus strictly on cricket.

"There is a good contest of ball and bat. There is also a contest of good intensity," said Suryakumar at the pre-match press conference.

"The stadium is full and you get the best crowd to support you. And it's best to put your best foot forward for the country and enjoy the game."

This wasn't the only question that Suryakumar opted to let go without a direct reply. He also didn't give a solid reply when asked about the historic India-Pakistan rivalry and whether that pressure is any bigger for this game, especially after the drama that followed the league game. It seemed like a deliberate ploy from the Indian camp to ensure that the discussions were purely about cricket and its technicalities. Suryakumar was asked to compare the rivalry levels to that of the 2000s, a question that he dealt with his trademark dose of humour.

"At that time (2000s), I don't know. I have never played. So I can't say (laughs). If we talk about rivalry, I don't know what kind of rivalry you are talking about. After going on the ground, I feel that the stadium is full. And when the stadium is full, I tell my team and everyone that it is time for entertainment.

"So many people have come to watch the match, so you have to entertain everyone. Let's play some good brand of cricket. And according to me, we don't think much.

While he may not say it openly, the nature of this fixture does have immense pressure for himself and the team. However, Suryakumar is known to be a generally calm person and his happy-go-lucky persona has done its bit to keep the relaxed as well. The Mumbai batter has a simple message for his players, one that he had said before the previous fixture as well. It helps that the current India side is a reasonably experienced unit, even if the average age of the squad is in the mid-20s.

"Close your room, switch off your phone and go to sleep. I think that's best."

"See, 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 also around who like to see all these things. So it's very difficult but then 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 play again.