Small talks to defuse big pressure around India-Pakistan game

MELBOURNE: General chit-chats about families and cars are how players from India and Pakistan defuse the hype that surrounds a contest between the bitter neighbours, rival captains Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam said on Saturday (Oct 15).

Bilateral cricket between the arch-rivals remains suspended, thanks to their soured political relation, and emotions run high on both sides of the border whenever they clash in multi-team tournaments.

Excitement is already building for the Oct 23 blockbuster between the former champions in Melbourne but India captain Rohit sought to downplay the hype around one of cricket's greatest rivalries.

"We understand the importance of the game but there's no point talking about it every time and creating that pressure within yourself," the batsman said at the pre-tournament captains' interaction with the media.

While fans treat every India-Pakistan contest as a battle for one-upmanship, the camaraderie between the sides was evident at the recent Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Rohit and his team-mates were seen wishing Shaheen Afridi a quick recovery from a knee injury while the Pakistan speedster wished for Virat Kohli's return to form.

"At the Asia Cup, and now here, whenever we meet, we talk about how things are back home, how the families are," Rohit said.

"The previous generation of cricketers told us they too used to chat about these things - 'how's life? Which car are you buying, or planning to buy?'".

Babar confirmed the bonhomie between the sides off the field despite the fierce rivalry on it.

"We don't even talk cricket when we meet," the stylish opener said.

"He (Rohit) is senior to me. Whenever we come across, I try to tap into his experience since he has served India for such a long time.

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