India, Feb. 15 -- "I feel you should stop asking this question on the rivalry. This is not a rivalry anymore."

With his trademark smile plastered on his face, Suryakumar Yadav responded how he wanted to when he was asked in Dubai on September 21 if Pakistan had raised their standards from the previous Sunday, when they had been brushed aside in the first of three showdowns against India at the T20 Asia Cup.

There was a sense of indignation in the Pakistani ranks after India's T20I skipper brushed off any talk of rivalry. How could he, some bristled. Why shouldn't he, others countered, pointing to India's 12-3 record over their cross-border rivals in all Twenty20 Internationals.

With no little help from Tilak Varma, India extended that ...