‘Switch off your phone...’ Suryakumar Yadav’s bizarre message ahead of India vs Pak match

Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav is gearing up for a high-stakes Asia Cup Super 4s clash against Pakistan on Sunday, and he knows managing outside distractions is easier said than done.

The affable captain, who anchored India’s successful chase with a 47 not out last Sunday against the same rivals, had neither shaken hands with opposition skipper Salman Ali Agha at the toss nor at the end of the game, following his match-winning six. His gesture of standing in solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam attack and dedicating the victory to the Indian Armed Forces had sent cross-border neighbours into a frenzy ahead of this Super 4s clash.

On the process of shutting outside noise, Yadav explained, "Close your room, switch off your phone and sleep. I think that's the best thing. 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 who like to see all these things so it's very difficult."

He knows that it is impossible to block out all distractions, but some good inputs can still be picked with discretion. He said, "...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 game."

Where should the focus lie?

Amid all this, Yadav emphasised that the team’s attention must remain on the game.

"I have been very clear with all the boys, I think it's very important if we want to do well this tournament and going forward, we will have to shut a lot of noise from outside and take what is good for you. I am not saying shut the noise completely, but take what is good for you and someone can give you a good advice as well which can help you in the game and on the ground."

He added, "I feel our preparations have been really good leading into the tournament and we had three good games also. So we are actually focusing on what we can do best."

Does the toss matter?

On whether winning the toss would provide any advantage in the hot and humid conditions, Yadav said, "We will have to start well from scratch and whoever plays well will win the game."

(PTI inputs)