In Dubai, the India-Pakistan clash on Sunday is already charged with political and historical tension. This will be the first meeting since the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Some political parties and former cricketers have urged the BCCI to boycott the fixture, while Indian players have faced criticism for remaining neutral. India captain Suryakumar Yadav drew scrutiny after being photographed shaking hands with Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi during the trophy launch. Naqvi also serves as the president of the Asian Cricket Council and Pakistan’s federal interior minister. Despite the backdrop, the Indian team appears unfazed. “The players are focused on cricket. They aren’t thinking about anything else,” batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said. “Once the BCCI aligns with the government, our job is to prepare and play.” On the field, India’s T20 strategy is equally intriguing. In the modern format, a designated finisher provides clarity in the death overs, but India is currently rotating the role among Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel. This approach showcases India’s batting depth but raises questions about accountability. “Everyone in our lineup is capable of going to any number and finishing the match,” Kotak explained. “We have four or five aggressive players who can slot in depending on the situation. In one game, Sanju may bat at No. 5, in another, he could walk in anywhere. It is not fixed, but everyone knows their role and will be ready.” Kotak added that this flexibility is India’s edge in a format where match-ups and data-driven decisions often dictate outcomes. Barring Hardik and Axar, most of these players are relatively untested in ICC tournaments and haven’t faced sustained high-pressure scenarios. While the “anyone can finish” philosophy is modern and adaptable, it can blur responsibility — something that historically battle-hardened finishers like Ben Stokes or Glenn Maxwell handled with consistency. As India prepares for the high-stakes clash, the combination of a focused camp and a flexible batting strategy sets the stage for a thrilling showdown against their arch-rivals.
