After a day of rest, the Azlan Shah Cup competition commences today. The highlight of Day 5 will also be the highlight of the tournament, as mother of all battles — India and Pakistan — is billed for the day.

Pakistan, on new found life in terms of getting gold at the Asian Games, and thus made many strides ahead of India, ensuring in the process a seat in the London Olympics, has nearly brought its senior side.

India hardly plans to bring B team to any tournament, not the least, Azlan Shah Cup. However, it has been handicapped due to the injury of two key players, and the absence of Sardar Singh. Rupinder, even on adhoc basis, has largely wiped out the fear of absence of Sandeep Singh, the fourth player who would have otherwise made it to the team.

Pakistan is the only side here to have two players having the caps above 300, the duo of Waseem and Sohail.

With captain Imran and centre-forward Rehan Butt in the ranks, Pakistan looks formidable.

The contest will therefore be between experience and exhuberance,as India has numerous new players in key position.

Pakistan here is somewhat inconsistent degree of which is more than India. India started on a bad note, losing to Korea despite building 2-0 lead, while Pakistan started its campaign strongly. It sent New Zealand packing.

Pakistan did not fare well against teams against which India did well here.

Every India – Pak contest is new, will defy logics, definitely showcase hockey to a wider public.

Coaches on both sides might show maturity in telling us that this is another of match to be played, but no one buys them.

This contest is different, keenly followed. I find 40-50 percent traffic ncrease in the site on India-Pak day, to stress the point.

Senior Pak team here did not show any great form. Sohail is struggling with flicks. And his defence is one area Indian young hearts can exploit. Rehan is not what he is known for, was better at the wing than at centre which he preferred to plough in this tournanment.

Waseem as a pivot shows glimpses of class, but that cannot carry far ahead, and is not proving to be game changer anymore.

Shakeel Abbasi, with his extrordinary ball holding capacity, and dodging skills, prove to a delight, but quite often unprofessional in parting the ball. Which makes the job of Haseem Khan, a flashy striker of the ball, even more difficult.

India’s forwarline on the other hand is not anything awesome which used to be last year. Shivender Singh is sluggish, Chandi on the wings fast but unpredictable, Sunil and Danish are not getting enough time from the think-tanks. The midfield is good, where India’s two senior most players — Arjun and Vikarm — have so far been good, and much would depend on their form today.

Vikas Pillay is hugely energetic, long term prospect. An all arounder, he is everywhere, he will play a crucial role today against Pakistan. Defence is shaky especially with half-fit Mahadik, Diwakarm coming into terms with his long absence form internationl stints, Rupinder is new and hardly played against Pakistan except last year.

Both teams had an off day yesterday, and will come to the field afresh.

In the last year, India did not lose to Pak, an awesome record, which comes under scrutiny today. This is a pressure for Indians. After losing to Australia tamely, Pakistan desparately needs to come back into the tournament, and must be expecting this match for that. Pressure, pressure, pressure everywhere

Whoever handles that pressure will emerge winners.