India, Feb. 12 -- India vs Pakistan fixtures don't need marketing: they just need a date on the calendar and the rest of the tournament starts humming. Ahead of India's clash with Namibia, Tilak Varma was asked about the big one, and his answer sounded like a player trying to keep the hype on mute while the work stays loud.

It was a very mature answer - less chest-thumping, more process talk - but the subtext was still clear: India want to arrive at the noise prepared, not freshly overwhelmed by it.

"To be honest, we are very excited to play. We got to know that the match is going to take place the day before yesterday. We are ready to play. We are watching all the teams. We are watching the bowlers and the batters. We are well prepared...