Asia Cup 2023: You Can See In How Deep Waters You Can Swim…

Indian vice-captain Hardik Pandya believes that the multiple clashes against the arch-rivals Pakistan will test the character and the personality of the individuals in the team. The Men in Blue will have an opportunity to take Babar Azam-led side a maximum of three times in the Asia Cup 2023, if both the teams manage to reach the finals of the marquee event in Sri Lanka.

Rohit Sharma-led side will get their Asia Cup campaign underway against Pakistan on Saturday in Kandy. The India-Pakistan rivalry in cricket is one of the most intense and storied rivalries in cricket, as the players try to give their 100% per cent to win the game for their side in high-octane games.

Speaking to Star Sports, Hardik Pandya opened up about the intensity of the India-Pakistan games, as it testifies to the character of players in such a big match, and asserted that a lot of emotions were attached to the players and fans and wants to play a good brand of cricket against Pakistan in the Asia Cup opener in Kandy.

“It’s an event which I’ve seen how it checks your character and personality, and at the same point in time, you can see in how deep waters you can swim. So, for me, all these factors excite me a lot,” Hardik Pandya said.

“A lot of emotions are attached by fans. For us, it is about playing a good team, playing a match against a very good side who has done very well in the recent past,” Hardik Pandya added.

India enjoys complete dominance over Pakistan, as the Men in Green has never defeated the Men in Blue side in 50-over World Cup tournaments and only defeated them for the first time in T20 World Cups in the 2021 edition but Pakistan would look to fancy their chances in the forthcoming Asia Cup 2023, with kind of form and the team they have got at the moment.

We Try To Keep The Outside Noise Outside And Focus On How We Can Play Good Cricket – Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya revealed that the team is trying to keep the outside noise and expectations from them about the game, as India wanted to focus on playing good cricket and said that the team needs to be more sensible on the field rather than being emotional in the field.

“We try to keep the outside noise outside and focus on how we can play good cricket. We can’t get too emotional about it because then, certain decisions can be reckless, which I don’t believe in. But, at the same point in time, it’s a mega event,” Hardik Pandya added.

The rivals between both sides are on and off the field with former players and experts spicing up the contest with some comments against each other. Even though India holds a better record against Pakistan. The Men in Green has been doing exceptional in the while-ball cricket, as they become the NO.1 ICC ODI team after the thumping win over Afghanistan in the three-match series in Sri Lanka.