Suryakumar Yadav’s Mantra Before Pakistan Clash: "Close Your Room, Switch Off Your Phone and Sleep"

Suryakumar Yadav’s Mantra Before Pakistan Clash: "Close Your Room, Switch Off Your Phone and Sleep"

On the eve of India’s highly anticipated Super Fours clash against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, captain Suryakumar Yadav brought his trademark humour and calm to the pre-match press conference, diffusing off-field tension with laughter and light-hearted banter.

Fresh from a hard-fought win over Oman in Abu Dhabi, India returned to Dubai in the early hours of Saturday. With limited recovery time, Suryakumar addressed the media late Friday night in what felt more like a stand-up routine than a traditional press interaction.

Asked how he and the team block out the noise surrounding a high-voltage fixture like India vs Pakistan, he smiled and quipped, “Close your room, switch off your phone and sleep.” The room erupted in laughter before he elaborated on the importance of mental clarity.

“Of course, it’s not always possible. You meet friends, go out to dinner, you’re around players who like to see what’s going on. So it's difficult, but it’s up to you—what you choose to listen to and what you let into your mind.
I’ve told the boys: take what’s good for you. Don’t block everything out. Someone might give you advice that actually helps you on the ground.”

A Light Touch on a Heavy Topic

The press conference, intended as a preview for Sunday's game, naturally gravitated towards the recent controversy involving the no-handshake incident between the Indian and Pakistani captains, which has snowballed into a wider off-field narrative. However, Suryakumar sidestepped the topic with witty replies.

When asked about the “build-up” to the rematch, he responded, “Build-up? Match is in 24 hours, yaar! Who has time for build-up?” Again, laughter filled the room.

Pressed about comparisons to past India-Pakistan encounters, including the iconic 2003 World Cup game, he simply said, “I don’t know, I wasn’t there. But when I see a full stadium, I just tell the boys—it’s time for entertainment!”

When a reporter slyly referred to the “baaki cheezein” (other things) India handled well—hinting at the off-field drama—Suryakumar chuckled, “Baaki cheezein? What is that, bhai?”

Focus on the Game

Despite the distractions, Suryakumar was clear about his team’s approach: stay focused, stay fresh, and enjoy the cricket. Reflecting on team management and rotation, he shared insights into how players like Varun Chakravarthy are staying match-ready even when rested.

“He did bowl a lot in the nets yesterday. Whether he’s playing or not, he’s always bowling 8-10 overs. I had to tell him, ‘Macha (dude), you’re taking a rest today.’ But that’s his routine. He’s always prepared.”

As questions kept circling back to India-Pakistan tensions and the emotional reactions from fans, Suryakumar remained composed. When told that the last encounter sparked “anger and then happiness” in the country, he simply responded:

“We won the match, no? That’s why.”

And when asked about plans for the “business end” of the competition, he delivered the perfect sign-off:

“Business end? Arre, it has just started!”

India's Schedule and Preparation

India had an optional training session scheduled for Saturday in Dubai, while Pakistan were expected to train fully at the ICC Academy ahead of the Sunday showdown at the Dubai International Stadium.

Quick Recap

  • India beat Oman in a tight contest, returning to Dubai early Saturday

  • Suryakumar Yadav led a humorous, composed press conference

  • Team focus: shutting out noise, staying mentally prepared

  • No comment on the handshake controversy, but clear intent to stay focused on cricket

  • Next match: India vs Pakistan, Super Fours, Asia Cup 2025 – Sunday in Dubai

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