CRICKET – INDIA captain Suryakumar Yadav and his Pakistan counterpart Salman Agha will not tell their teammates to temper aggression when the arch-rivals clash in a geopolitically-charged Asia Cup contest in Dubai on Sunday.
While players from both sides have shared cordial relations over the years despite geopolitical realities, both the captains were asked if they would instruct their players to dial down their aggression considering the larger context.
“Aggression (is) always there when we take the field,” a relaxed-looking Suryakumar said at the captains’ pre-tournament media interaction yesterday.
“Without (some degree of) aggression, I don’t think you can play the sport. I’m really excited to take the field.”
Opposite number Salman also found it unnecessary to try and curb a player’s natural aggression as long as it did not spill over the game’s confines.
“You don’t need to say anything to any player because every individual is different,” said Salman.
“If someone wants to be aggressive in the field, they are more than welcome to do that.
“When it comes to fast bowlers, they are always aggressive and you can’t stop them because that’s what keeps them going.
“So from my side, there is no instruction to anyone as long as it stays in the ground.”
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