Gill plays down hype, Aqib urges players to step up against India

 Mohammad Abdullah, Senior Sports reporter

 A buoyant India is set to take a reeling Pakistan in a blockbuster Champions Trophy match in Dubai on Sunday.

The hype around the high-octane clash has been fuelled by the controversies built-up to the match. An India-Pakistan clash always draws more attention than any other sporting event on the planet.

Due to the political tension and India’s refusal to play in Pakistan, the match has become a matter of prestige for both the countries, irrespective of the bearing the result of the match will have on the prospect of qualifying for the knockout stage for either team.

However, India, after having won their first match against Bangladesh, are in a better position than their arch rivals, who were defeated by New Zealand in the opener.

Indian opener Shubman Gill, who smashed a cracking century against Bangladesh to guide them to a facile win, played down the hype and stressed it to be the business as usual.

“It doesn't change anything for us, honestly. We play every match to win it and this one is no different for us. This is how we prepare for any match that we play. We are going to prepare for this one in the same way,” said Gill during  a press conference on the eve of the match.

He also ruled out that the toss could be a decisive factor in the outcome of the match. In the evening, when the dew starts falling it becomes difficult to grip the ball for the team fielding second.

“I don't think toss will play a big role. We have seen that dew hasn't come that much. If dew comes, then toss is very important in a 50-over match.

“If we don't get a dew, then I think it won't make much of a difference. For any team – in any big match, if we don't get a dew then the team that is batting later, they will have more pressure. The team that handles the pressure better, will have a better chance of winning,” stressed the swashbuckling batsman.

He also rated his century against Bangladesh as one of the best of his ODI career. Gill has scored eight centuries in ODIs so far.

“Definitely, one of my most satisfying innings that I've played as you said the Champions Trophy format is like this, margin of error is generally very less. If there's a single bad match -- then there’s a lot of pressure on you, then all the matches become do and die, must win games,” he added.

He also lamented the absence of India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah but insited that there is enough bench strength to fill the void.

“Any player who has been a part of the team for so long and is doing so well for the team, there is definitely a setback that he is not a part of the team and we were disappointed as a team.

“But you have to choose your best options and I think we did our best with the options available. Harshit came in his place and he is doing a good job.”

Mohammad Shami and Harshit are shouldering the burden of India's pace battery. Both the pacers – particularly Shami – produced stellar performances and shared eight wickets between them.

Shami took his fifth five-wicket haul in the ICC events. He topped the chart of the bowlers, who have taken the most five wickets in the ICC events. Harshit returned with three scalps.

Meanwhile, Pakistan coach Aqib Javed ruled out that they will be under more pressure because of losing their first game against New Zealand.

“Pressure is an integral part of any India-Pakistan match. Even if you are coming into the match on the back of ten wins, you cannot afford to lose against each other.

“So losing the first match does not add to any extra pressure. It is an opportunity for us as a team to step up and show our strength. It is a wonderful opportunity for all the players to take up the challenge and lead from the front,” said Aqib, who was a part of Pakistan’s ferocious pace battery, which also included Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

He also defended his pacer trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, who were severely beaten by New Zealand batters.

They conceded 214 runs together in their 30 overs combined. But, Aqib hoped that they will live up to their reputation against India.

“It was a one-off bad match for them. I am confident that they will bounce back against India. They remind me of our playing days. They have the ability to replicate the famous trio of the 90's.

Wasim, Waqar and Aqib were one of the most feared bowling attacks in the world. They used to change the complexion of any game with their bowling. Aqib also took a hat-trick against India in Sharjah.