Security Threat Looms Over India-Pakistan Clash: Rohit Sharma Reveals Pre-Match Secrets

The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is renowned for its intensity and historical significance, creating an atmosphere unlike any other sporting event. Indian captain Rohit Sharma, a veteran of numerous high-stakes encounters, shared his insights into the unique environment surrounding these matches.

Reflecting on the T20 World Cup 2024 clash between India and Pakistan, Sharma described the pre-match atmosphere as a "festival," starting at the team hotel and extending to the stadium. India emerged victorious in a low-scoring thriller, winning by six runs, with Jasprit Bumrah earning the Player of the Match award for his impressive bowling performance of 3-14.

"Before the India vs Pakistan match, we were told there was a threat - something was going on. So, two days before the game, we weren’t allowed to step out of the hotel," Rohit revealed. "The atmosphere started building from there. We were ordering food in, and the hotel was so packed you could barely walk. Fans, media - everyone was there. That’s when you realise this isn’t just another match - something special is about to happen."

He further added, "As soon as we got near the stadium, it already felt like a celebration - Indian fans, Pakistani fans, all dancing and enjoying themselves. I’ve played so many India–Pakistan games now - I’ve lost count - but that pre-match energy, that feeling… It’s always something else. Nothing compares to it." Rohit shared these thoughts on JioHotstar’s special 'Champions Waali Feeling Phir Se'.

During the match, India faced early setbacks with the dismissals of Virat Kohli (4), Rohit (13), and Axar Patel (20). However, Rishabh Pant played a crucial innings, scoring 42 off 31 balls, including six fours, helping the team reach a total of 119 on a challenging pitch where other middle-order batsmen struggled to reach double digits.

Sharma lauded Pant's contribution, stating that the wicketkeeper-batter played to his full potential and kept the team competitive on a difficult surface. "We just wanted Rishabh to be Rishabh - do all the things he does best, unsettle the bowlers, play freely. And he did that perfectly. His innings was around 42, and on that pitch, that’s as good as scoring 70. It was a very challenging surface - something was always happening."

He continued, "The par score there was probably 130 or 140. We ended up with 119. Our plan wasn’t to go for 200 - we were aiming for 140. But of course, we lost wickets along the way. And that’s when Rishabh played that crucial knock of 40-plus, which really held things together. Eventually, we got 119 - and I actually felt it could still be a good score. Maybe 10–15 runs short, but I knew that if we got 2–3 early wickets with the new ball, that 119 would start to feel like 160."

The Indian captain also praised the pace bowling duo of Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh for their exceptional performance in defending the total, emphasizing their value in the T20 format.

“With Bumrah, you’ve got to be proactive in how you use him. He’s a wicket-taker, and at the same time, he’s not going to leak runs. So, how do you balance that, especially when the opposition is chasing at a run-a-ball? Arshdeep has been phenomenal too. Over the last two years, there’s a reason he’s become India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is — he’s a really smart bowler."

Sharma concluded, "So, with both of them, my focus was on how to use their remaining overs strategically. You think about which batters are coming in, how would they handle Arshdeep and Bumrah? On that pitch, it was tough for new batters to settle, so our goal was to force new guys to the crease. That was the plan."