Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has downplayed the heightened excitement surrounding the upcoming India-Pakistan clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. During an awards ceremony, Sharma emphasized that his team would approach the match with the same focus as any other, prioritizing strong performances over the historical significance of the rivalry.
“We will do what is expected from any cricket team on that day,” Sharma said, underlining the importance of consistent performance throughout the tournament. India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir echoed this sentiment, dismissing any undue attention on the Pakistan clash.
Gambhir stressed that the team’s main goal is to win the Champions Trophy, rather than focusing solely on one match. “We don’t go to the Champions Trophy thinking that the 23rd is the most important game for us,” he stated during the BCCI awards. “All the games are important. Our mission is to win the Champions Trophy, and if the Pakistan match is part of that, we will treat it seriously.”
Acknowledging the emotional intensity of the India-Pakistan rivalry, Gambhir maintained that the overall objective remains unchanged. “When two countries like India and Pakistan play, emotions are high, but the contest stays the same,” he added.
India, the 2013 Champions Trophy winners, will start their 2025 campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by the much-anticipated match with Pakistan on February 23. The team will then face New Zealand on March 2 in their final group-stage game.
