"Rivalry is ther for people to talk about," Rohit Sharma ahead of IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2023 Group A match

Rohit Sharma led the Indian side to victory in the last 50-overs Asia Cup in 2018.

The cricketing world eagerly anticipates the clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023. A match that has garnered immense attention due to the age-old rivalry between the two nations. However, Indian captain Rohit Sharma has taken a measured stance, downplaying the intense rivalry that surrounds this historic encounter. In a press conference held ahead of the match, Rohit Sharma emphasised that for team India, this high-stakes showdown is just another fixture in their campaign.

The upcoming Asia Cup match on Saturday, September 2, in Pallekele is a highly anticipated fixture, with cricket fans of both sides of the border are eagerly waiting for this mega event. However, Rohit Sharma aims to maintain a level-headed approach.

'Rivalry is there for people to talk about' says Rohit Sharma ahead of the big clash

Rohit Sharma, known for his calm and composed demeanour, stated during the press conference,

"Rivalry is there for people to talk about. As a team, what we see is that we have an opposition to play tomorrow and see what we want to do. What is going to help us is to keep doing the right things on the field."

Rohit Sharma emphasised the team's perspective, highlighting that while the rivalry is undeniable and attracts significant attention, they are focused on their performance on the field.

Recognising Pakistan's recent rise to the top of the MRF Tyres ICC Men's ODI team rankings, Rohit Sharma showed respect for the opposition's form. "Pakistan have played really well in recent times in both T20Is and ODIs. They worked really hard to be No. 1, and it'll be a good challenge for us tomorrow," he added.

Despite Pakistan's strong start in the tournament and the threat posed by the pace trio, including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Rohit Sharma remained composed. He stressed that the team would rely on their experience to counter the challenge.

"Look, in the nets, we don't have Shaheen, Naseem, or Rauf. We practice with what we have. They are all quality bowlers. We just have to use our experience to play them tomorrow," he said.

Rohit Sharma also downplayed the significance of the toss, highlighting that winning it does not guarantee a victory. He outlined the team's approach of taking things one step at a time and focusing on their immediate opponent, Pakistan.

"We try to keep our goals small and see what's in front of us. We have Pakistan to face tomorrow, and we will focus on that first and then look ahead," Rohit remarked.

Rohit Sharma underscored the team's practical approach. He emphasised the importance of staying focused on the immediate challenge rather than getting ahead of themselves. This approach helps maintain concentration and ensures they address one hurdle at a time.