Aggression is a part of the game: Suryakumar and Salman on Indo-Pak clash

A little before noon on Tuesday, the captains of the eight teams at the Asia Cup sauntered into a packed hall of the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and sat beside each other on a dais just big enough to accommodate them. Once it was time for the media to shoot questions, a request was made from the moderator in the wake of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan in recent months. “Let’s keep the questions apolitical and pro-sports.”

While that was adhered to during a 19-minute interaction featuring six languages, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav and his Pakistan counterpart Salman Agha were asked whether they would have to give instructions to their players to keep tempers in check during the high-voltage contest on Sunday.

Measured responses followed from both captains. “Aggression is always there when we take the field. And without aggression, I don’t think you can play this sport. I’m very excited to take the field on the front foot,” Suryakumar said.

Salman echoed Suryakumar’s views. “Well, you don’t need to say anything to any player. Because everyone is individually very different,” the 31-year-old said.

“If someone wants to be aggressive in the field, they are more than welcome to do that. When it comes to fast bowlers, they are always aggressive. And you can’t just stop them because that’s what keeps them going. So, from my side, there is no instruction to anyone as long as it stays in the ground.”

The other teams have their own challenges to confront. For Rashid Khan’s Afghans, for instance, the test is whether they can go the distance after reaching the semifinals of the 2024 T20 World Cup.

“Well, whenever you are coming for a big competition, you are always well prepared. We forget what happened in the past, who we have beaten and where we reached. We have to focus on what’s next for us,” the ace leggie said.

Amidst some serious responses, Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka induced peals of laughter when asked about his team reaching Dubai from Harare after a three-match series against Zimbabwe only on Tuesday morning.

“Right now, I’m feeling very sleepy. I should answer it tomorrow,” Asalanka chuckled. “It’s really hard to play back-to-back games in Zimbabwe on September 6 and 7 (Saturday and Sunday) and then travel here straightaway. I think actually we need to have a couple of days off. I hope the coach will give us (offs).”