Not exactly a rivalry but India-Pak clash continues to entice crowd

Fixture has lacked spark in recent years but players from both sides eager to give their best

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN

SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN @ Chennai THREE of the hottest ticketed events are set to hit Chennai over the next few days. There is an AR Rahman concert - Marakkuma Nenjam-this Saturday. On Thursday, Rajinikanth's new film, 'Jailer', is set to hit screens. Kicking off the triple bill, though, is the India vs Pakistan encounter at the Asian Champions Trophy on Wednesday. The priciest tickets disappeared from the box office outside the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium days ago. Online tickets were gobbled up like candy at a kids' only birthday party. After their respective assignments on Monday night, players from both camps spoke about the very specific excitement such a clash elicits.

But while that may be true in cricket, an India vs Pakistan clash in hockey stopped being a contest a long time ago. Sure, it's a good time for people to talk about a sepia-toned past when both teams were flawed but good; when they used to dictate terms to the Europeans and the Australians. These days, though, this match usually serves as a reminder of that glorious past.