'Pakistan will go on the back foot...': Virat Kohli's childhood coach's huge advice to Suryakumar Yadav-led India ahead of Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash

Former India captain Virat Kohli's childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, suggested Suryakumar Yadav for opting to bat first in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash against Pakistan. He believes that Pakistan will be on the back foot if India decides to bat first, and there is not much competition between the two sides anymore.

The upcoming clash will be the second outing between India and Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. Earlier, India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in a one-sided clash. Pakistan refused to attend the media since losing against India as Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube walked off the field without shaking hands with Pakistan during their group stage clash.

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Speaking to ANI, Rajkumar said that Pakistan should focus on their cricket rather than making a big issue out of the 'handshake row', pointing out how such things lessen the charm of India-Pakistan matches. He also said that Team India, even Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, are much ahead of Pakistan, and there is not much competition between them.

Rajkumar also advised the Salman Ali Agha-led Pakistan to focus on cricket rather than making an issue of Indian players not shaking hands with them. He also pointed out that Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are far better team than Pakistan.

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"The Indian team is in very good form, and the way our batting is, we will surely dominate in the match... The Pakistan team should focus on cricket rather than making an issue of Indian players not shaking hands with them. There is no use of all this, they made such a big deal out of it. The charm of the India-Pakistan clash lessens because of these things. There used to be so much hype about these matches across both sides, but there is no competition between India and Pakistan, India is way better than them. Even Bangladesh and Sri Lanka look way better than Pakistan," he said.

Speaking on if India should bowl or bat first, the coach said, "If India bats first, Pakistan will go on the back foot because they are not considered great chasers."

The Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash between India and Pakistan will take place on September 21 at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.