Before Pakistan match, Suryakumar keeps focus firmly on cricket

Minutes after India had beaten Pakistan in their Asia Cup league fixture in Dubai, and pointedly skipped the handshakes, Suryakumar Yadav walked into a packed press room. Asked how he dealt with the noise on social media in the build-up, he shrugged. He "didn't know" what was happening there, he said, before adding that the team had made a conscious choice on landing in Dubai: delete the apps, cut the outside noise by "70-80 per cent."

Now, on the eve of another India-Pakistan clash, Suryakumar was back in front of the press. The same question came again, this time with the reminder of all that had happened since.

"Go to your room. Shut your phone and sleep," he said with a smile. "I think that's the best."

Then he explained: "See, it's easy to say but sometimes it is difficult because you meet a lot of friends, you go out for dinner and you have a lot of players also around who like to see all these things. So it's very difficult but then it's on you, what you want to listen to, what you want to have in your mind and go on and have a practice session or go on and have a play again.

"But I have been very clear with all the boys, I think it's very important if you want to do well in this tournament and going forward, we will have to shut out a lot of noise from outside and take what is good for you. I am not saying shut the noise completely but take what is good for you and someone can give you good advice as well which can help you in the game, which can help you on the ground. So I think that is very important for me and rest I feel everyone is good in a good space."

It was telling. Once again, on the eve of an India-Pakistan game, the focus had drifted everywhere but cricket. Suryakumar's answers pulled it back. The gulf India had shown on the field the other night, he seemed to say, was where the conversation belonged.

Asked about the celebrations across India after the last match against India, he kept it simple: "We won, that's why they are celebrating. I mean, the way the country always supports us in every game, the same way they should support us in this game also. And it is Sunday, so I think more people will watch the match.

"So sit comfortably and enjoy the game. And when we go to the ground, we will try to play with the same intensity, with the same energy. And we always try to keep our A game ahead.

"And we will try the same in the whole ground."

The rivalry question came too: was it the same as the 2000s? "At that time, I don't know. I have never played. So I can't say," he laughed. But he quickly pivoted again. "If we talk about rivalry, I don't know what kind of rivalry you are talking about. After going on the ground, I feel that the stadium is full. And when the stadium is full, I tell my team and everyone that it is time for entertainment.

"So many people have come to watch the match, so you have to entertain everyone. Let's play some good brand of cricket. And according to me, we don't think much.

"We have played three games. We enjoyed winning all three games as much as we enjoyed winning the first game. So I feel every game is a new challenge. We take it in stride and it feels good. We win and learn something from it and try to do it in the next game."

On whether India would do the same thing again, a subtle nod to the handshake episode, he deflected again, with cricket. "There is a good contest of ball and bat. There is also a contest of good intensity. As I said in the last question, the stadium is full and you get the best crowd to support you. And it's best to put your best foot forward for the country and enjoy the game."

And on whether that last match, played on his birthday, was the best of his career? "The best match for me was when I played my first game for India. And after that, all the matches I played for India, whenever I took the field, I always wore the jersey and it was a proud moment for me. I am always excited, I am always proud to be part of this wonderful campaign and I will always be proud.

"If you have seen, I always keep my hands closed in the National Anthem. I keep thinking about it. I keep remembering it. I keep thanking God for giving me this opportunity to play as long as I can. I am very happy."

In his own way, Suryakumar had answered every question about rivalry, noise and fallout without ever mentioning the opponent. The focus, he insisted, was on cricket.

It was the same message he had offered after the last game against Pakistan: delete the apps, mute the distractions, play cricket. On the eve of another India-Pakistan clash, Suryakumar pressed delete again and kept the cursor firmly on the game.