Pakistan were outplayed by India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14. Batting first, Pakistan collapsed from 152-2 to end at 191. In reply, India made short work of the run-chase with Rohit Sharma leading the way. They finished the game with seven wickets and nearly 20 overs in hand.

Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur had mentioned in the post-match press conference after the match that it did not feel like an ICC event and that he didn’t hear the famous song ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ playing at the stadium.

Discussing the game on the Club Prairie Fire podcast, former England captain Michael Vaughan took a humourous dig at Arthur for his post-match comments. Speaking with Adam Gilchrist, who pointed out the maturity in Rohit Sharma’s captaincy that shone through in the India-Pakistan game, Vaughan said, “Gilly, what you’re absolutely spot on about Rohit is his tactical awareness out in the middle just managing the players as you mentioned with Siraj, just giving him the extra over just to give him a boost.

“But his best move, and without doubt, the move that won them the game, and the Pakistan coach alluded to it afterwards, is Rohit obviously said to the DJ, ‘Just do not play Dil Dil Pakistan, if you play Dil Dil, they’re gonna win, Pakistan will win. So do not play that song pre-match, make sure that they don’t hear that inspirational song that obviously makes them play so well. We have beaten them many times in World Cups but if we play Dil Dil today, they’re gonna beat us.’

“That was clever. Most captains don’t think of things like that – DJs and music. Rohit is ahead of his time,” said Vaughan mockingly.

As a matter of fact, Pakistan lost their next match as well, against Australia in Bengaluru, where the song was played by the stadium DJ.

Dil Dil Pakistan being played, fans chanting names of Pakistan players. Loving the atmosphere at Chinnaswamy Stadium.

— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) October 20, 2023