'I stay in my zone and play the game' - Suryakumar Yadav not fazed by expectation of Indo-Pak game

Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav said that he just tries to stay in his zone and play his game despite all the expectations and talk of on-field rivalry that comes along with the fixture of India versus Pakistan. He insisted that despite the magnitude of the fixture, it is just another game for the players when they step on the field.

Suryakumar, like all the other fans from the subcontinent, grew up with a lot of talks and hype about the Indo-Pak games, and with people calling it the greatest cricketing rivalry. However, Suryakumar explained that India follows the same routine and process as they do for other games, which is reflected when they enter the field.

"Obviously, when I was growing up, there have been lots of talks regarding the India-Pakistan game and people say it’s the greatest rivalry, but when I or anyone go on the ground, it’s like we are playing just another game," Suryakumar said while speaking on Star Sports show 'Follow the Blues'.

Suryakumar Yadav can change complexion of the game against any team: Virat Kohli

"When we enter the field, all our preparations, all our routines, what we have been doing for any other game, it just reflects on the ground. So, when I go on the ground, it’s all the same. I don’t think what rivalry has been happening and what the expectations from outside etc. are. So, I just try to stay in my zone and play the game," added the Indian batter.

Suryakumar’s recent form has been nothing short of supreme, averaging 42.83 with a strike rate of 190.37, with three fifties and one hundred, in T20Is this year. He was also the Player of the Match in the previous game against Hong Kong in the Asia Cup 2022 for an unbeaten knock of 68 off 26, and his former captain Virat Kohli also had a few words of appreciation. 

For Kohli, it was one of the first experiences watching Suryakumar’s batting prowess from close quarters, from the non-striker’s end. He said that he was “blown away” by what he saw before his eyes in the Hong Kong game. "I honestly believe that the way you (Suryakumar) played today, if you can stay in that zone, you can literally change the complexion of the game against any team in the world," Kohli told his teammate. Next up for India is the Super 4-stage game against Pakistan in Dubai on September 4, Sunday.