Hardik Pandya, the Indian all-rounder, has offered a straightforward piece of advice to the Indian players ahead of the India-Pakistan clash on September 21. Hardik signalled that the team should treat tomorrow’s game as a normal match, with full focus on it. He said, “On the 21st of September, it’s just another game. Let’s play the game when it’s played, not before it. Good luck, guys.”
Fresh off a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan, India is set to face its rivals again in a Super 4 clash this Sunday in Dubai. Amid the growing hype surrounding the match, Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has sent the message to his teammates.
India’s victory and handshake controversy
India secured a commanding victory over Pakistan in their recent match, chasing down a target of 127 with seven wickets and 4.1 overs to spare. However, the game was overshadowed by a controversial incident: Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart, Salman Ali Agha, both at the coin toss and after the match. In fact, no Indian player shook hands with the opposition.
Victory for the armed forces
This “no-handshake” policy was a form of protest against the Pahalgam terror attack, which had claimed 26 lives in April. Yadav later dedicated India’s win to the Armed Forces and stood in solidarity with the victims’ families. Notably, Andy Pycroft has been appointed as the match referee for the upcoming Super 4 clash between the two teams on September 21.