Dubai, Feb 22 (Reporter) India opener Shubman Gill played down the hype surrounding the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the Champions Trophy 2025, asserting that the team’s ultimate focus remains on reaching and winning the final. "It is not for me to say whether the contest is under-hyped or over-hyped. There is a long history of India-Pakistan cricket. It is always exciting, but for us, it does not change anything. It is an important match, but the most important match will always be the final," Gill told reporters on the eve of India-Pakistan encounter here on Saturday. Gill stressed that India’s approach is centred on consistency and long-term success rather than a single high-profile fixture. "We have a job to do, and that is to make sure we execute our plans across the tournament. While the India-Pakistan match gets a lot of attention, our goal is to peak at the right time and be fully prepared for the final." Discussing his role in guiding the bowlers, Gill remarked, "Whenever I am on the field, I try and talk to the bowlers. It's not easy for them in this heat to think clearly. Rohit bhai has given me the responsibility to communicate with them, ensuring that our bowling plans are followed." The Indian opener also spoke about the importance of adapting to different conditions, especially with regard to batting strategies. "The ideal approach is to assess the pitch and adapt accordingly. A batsman’s skill is measured by how well he reads the situation and plays accordingly." Regarding potential scores, Gill indicated that India does not fixate on a particular target. "We want to play aggressive, positive cricket, but what constitutes a good total depends on the conditions. A score of 280-300 might be competitive on some surfaces, while on others, we might aim for 350-360. We usually go out there, assess the pitch, and try to score 15-20 runs more than the par total." With the tournament heating up, Gill’s words underline India’s broader ambitions—winning the Champions Trophy, rather than getting caught up in the hype of an individual fixture...////...