Prior to the game between India and Pakistan on Sunday, September 4, India cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid was asked to compare the two teams' bowling lineups. After praising Pakistan's attack, he gave a hilarious response when describing India's lineup as a "four-letter word" that "starts with S."
The interview took place during a press conference with the journalists on Saturday, the day before the match in the Super 4 stage of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022.
“Theek he, unke bowlers ne bhi aachi bowling ki thi. They are a very good bowling side. But even we bowled well to restrict them to 147. No matter what score you restrict an opposition to, numbers might be different, but at the end of the day, bowling analysis is important,” said Dravid.
“You are judged by the results you produce. And bowling analysis of our fast bowlers was also pretty good. I certainly respect their (Pakistan) bowling but I am confident that we have a very good bowling attack as well which produces results,” he added.
After that, he went on to add that he couldn't "use the S word," which made everyone laugh.
“It might not be as...I wanted to use a word but I can't use that word. It's coming out of my mind but I can't use it here,” he said.
After delivering the amusing statement, he was asked by another journalist if the term was "exuberant," to which Dravid replied: “Not exuberant. It’s a little bit four-letter, starts with ‘s’.”
Dravid also made a comment on his young pacer, Avesh Khan, during the press conference. According to him, Khan is unfit and therefore will not be able to play on Sunday.
“Avesh is feeling a little bit unwell, just been under the favour, a little bit of fever, doctors are managing the situation, he is not at practice today hopefully he is not too serious and should be okay for tomorrow’s game (against PAK), if not, then later part of the tournament," Dravid explained.
Avesh put up a solid outing against Hong Kong, giving up 53 runs and taking one wicket in just four overs.
On Sunday, India and Pakistan will face off in the Super 4 round of the Asia Cup 2022, which will be held in the United Arab Emirates.
Previously, after defeating Pakistan, India continued their winning streak by defeating Hong Kong by 40 runs.
On the other hand, after thrashing Hong Kong by 155 runs in the last group match, Pakistan were considerably more confident.
Shahnawaz Dahani is not anticipated to play for Pakistan on Sunday due to an injury.
According to the team, Dahani's injury “happened while bowling in the match against Hong Kong in Sharjah on Friday." After Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Wasim, he became the third Pakistani player to be forced out due to injury.
On India's side, it was previously reported that all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja had injured his right knee and was forced to withdraw from the Asia Cup, with Axar Patel designated as his replacement.
Out of a total of 10 games played in T20 internationals between India and Pakistan, India have won eight of them, while Pakistan snatched two.
