T20 WC: Focus remains on real-time action as Rohit, Kirsten ‘play it simple’ ahead of India-Pakistan match

India captain Rohit Sharma and newly-appointed Pakistan head coach Gary Kirsten insist on keeping it simple as cricket’s biggest rivalry resumes in New York in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Ahead of the marquee game at the newly-built Nassau County Cricket Stadium, Rohit and Kirsten backed the players to play their natural game and avoid taking any pressure in what is said to be the most-watched cricket match in this tournament.

Unlike in the past decade when India and Pakistan faced each other once in two years or more (in the ICC events and Asia Cups), the arch-rivals have played three times since last year.

Asked how he will approach this game, Rohit said as a captain, he approaches this as any other T20 WC match, adding nothing changed much in their preparations for the Pakistan tie.

Addressing the media in the pre-match presser, the veteran India batter said, “Nothing has changed from last seven months because we played them [Pakistan] in the Asia Cup, the ODI World Cup, and now the T20 World Cup."

“Earlier it was a different ball game because we used to play them every maybe once in four years, or two years, now it's a different ball game. We literally played seven months back in Asia Cup and the World Cup and here we are again now,” the India captain said.

Detailing his thought process during such matches, Rohit explained, "So, for me, I think nothing changes. I want to approach this as another international game where I get myself collected and make those decisions on the field. I am sure everyone will have their own way of dealing with games like these, but I have my process.”

‘It’s different this time’ – Kirsten

Having coached India to a world title 13 years ago, Kirsten knows more about the dressing room culture than others. Fast forward to 2024, he now coaches the Pakistan Cricket Team. Besides, with his experience of coaching T20 WC-bound Indian players like Hardik Pandya in the IPL, Kirsten sits in a better position to prepare the Men in Green for this headline-making clash.

However, even without spilling any beans, Kirsten said with players playing against each other every now and then, they are aware of each other’s game already.

"I think these players have seen enough of each other and how they play," Kirsten said in the pre-match presser.

"In the end, we want to make sure that we get our game right. Look at the conditions and what is required on the conditions because I think that's going to be a big day tomorrow."

Unlike Rohit, who called this tie just another game, Kirsten differed, saying, “Well, not to hide from the fact that it's a big game, but to treat cricket like cricket should be treated.”

“Every game you need to play well, you need to hit the ball in the right areas, you need to score enough runs, you need to take your catches and field well. I don't think it's ever changed the game. It changes a little bit because of the formats, but that's certainly what we're going to go out and try to do tomorrow. If we play a really good game of cricket with our abilities, we have a good chance of winning the game,” he concluded.