India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak on Friday said the team is focused only on cricket ahead of their Asia Cup 2025 clash with Pakistan. The two teams will meet on Sunday in Dubai in their first match since the border conflict escalated in May.
The tension grew after 26 tourists were killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam. In response, India launched strikes on terrorist bases in Pakistan under ‘Operation Sindoor’. Despite this backdrop, Kotak made it clear that players are concentrating only on the game.
BCCI and Government Alignment
Kotak said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already aligned with the government’s decision on playing Pakistan in ICC and Asian Cricket Council tournaments.
“Once BCCI said they were aligned with the government’s decision, our focus was always on the match. It’s India versus Pakistan, and it will be an interesting game,” Kotak told reporters at the ICC Academy ground.
He added, “India versus Pakistan is always a competitive game.”
Players Focused Only on Cricket
When asked whether the players are affected by the geopolitical tensions, Kotak gave a clear answer. “Players are focused on the ground and nothing else is on their minds,” he said.
His statement comes amid louder calls to boycott cricketing ties with Pakistan following the Kashmir attack.
India’s Policy on Sporting Ties
The Indian government recently announced a new policy. India will not engage in bilateral sporting events with Pakistan but will continue to face them in multilateral tournaments such as the Asia Cup or ICC events.
This policy has shifted the focus firmly to Sunday’s marquee Asia Cup clash.
Contrasting Preparations
Both teams have taken different approaches in their buildup to the tournament. India has shown faith in Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership in the T20 format. On the other hand, Pakistan has come under scrutiny for leaving out senior players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan while trying to restructure their T20 squad.
The stage is set for another high-voltage India vs Pakistan contest, where cricket and politics once again cross paths.
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