India take on arch-rivals Pakistan in a mouth-watering clash in the 2018 Asia Cup on Wednesday, September 19. This is a match-up that intrigues the entire cricketing world, with fans from far and wide glued to their television sets to watch the two neighbouring nations go at it.
This time, though, much of the sheen of the India-Pakistan clash has been taken away due to the absence of Virat Kohli. The talismanic Indian batsman has decided to skip the Asia Cup in Dubai this year, prompting players, pundits and fans from either side of the border to share their disappointment.
One such former cricketer is Sandeep Patil. The erstwhile chairman of India's national selection committee has expressed his disapproval of Kohli's decision to rest out the Asia Cup.
“I do agree that players’ workload should be taken into account but when it comes to India-Pakistan matches – in which the cricket-loving people of India get so emotionally and sentimentally involved – it makes it difficult to understand why such a decision was made. In fact, it is not just the fans, even players and board officials of both the countries feel very strongly about this one big match-up,” Patil wrote in his column for the Quint. “I don’t blame Virat Kohli but my question again is that there are thirty plus players under contract for the BCCI and all of them play equal number of matches and share equal amount of workload, then why single out Virat Kohli?” he questioned.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, who will be leading the Indian side for the Asia Cup, has said that it is always a matter of excitement to play against Pakistan as they are a great side and have been playing good cricket, lately.
The 31-year-old, however, added that every team is here to win the title and that the focus of the Indian side should be on the entire tournament as all the teams are competitive in nature.
Speaking during a press conference, Sharma said, "It is always exciting to play Pakistan. They are a great nation. They have been playing good cricket, off late. We are looking forward to that clash but again there are other teams here as well who are eying for the title. The games played here will be quite competitive. The focus should be on the whole tournament as everyone is here for the title."
Reflecting on the climate conditions in the United Arab Emirates, where the Asia Cup will be held, the right-hand batsman said that it is not at all pleasant. "Climate is not so pleasant for sure. Exactly the reason we wanted to come a little earlier and get accustomed to the conditions," he said.
Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed, on the other hand, termed the Asia Cup as a big opportunity for all the participating teams. Speaking on their own game plan ahead of the tournament, Ahmed said that they would be taking one game at a time. India and Pakistan are slated to face each other in Asia cup on September 19 at Dubai International Stadium.
(Inputs from ANI)
