With the India–Pakistan Asia Cup match scheduled to take place on Sunday in Dubai, India’s assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak clarified about the team’s focus ahead of the big clash.
“Our focus is on playing well. There is no chatter about outside noise within the camp”, stated Kotak, addressing the growing calls for a boycott back home.
Public sentiment in India has been tense ever since the April Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 tourists, and the subsequent Operation Sindoor targeting terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Many fans expected the BCCI to take a hard stance against Pakistan in multilateral events. However, the Indian government had already clarified its policy, allowing participation against Pakistan in ACC and ICC tournaments.
Despite the criticism, the schedule remains unchanged, and India could face Pakistan up to three times in the competition once in the group stage, again in the Super 4s, and potentially in the final.
While the political storm intensifies, Team India is keeping its eyes firmly on the field, where one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries is set to unfold.
