By Nilanjan Datta,
AIFF Media Team

BANGALORE: Times change fast. The baby-faced Captain is the Senior Pro in the Team now. A couple of days prior to the first of the two matches of the Friendly Series against Pakistan, Sunil Chhetri spoke exclusively to www.the-aiff.com about the emotions of playing Pakistan, the expectations, the preparation and life as a Senior Pro in the Team. EXCERPTS:

Is the match against Pakistan different from another International match?

There’s no denying it’s different. Even as we Players term or take it as just another Match, you can never ignore that there are so many emotions involved in this match. Every time the two Countries play against each other in any sport it may be, the mood stays different. And however hard, you may try to evade it you can never ignore this fact. And it applies to both the Teams.

This is the first time Pakistan are coming to India to play a bilateral series against India. How historical is that?

History will determine as to how historical this is. But this is certainly big. History will also tell you that Sports has always been the binding factor in promoting bilateral relations between two Countries. It’s important to build relationship via Sports, especially with your neighbouring Countries. There is nothing political in this -- we are taking it as a sporting event.

We wholeheartedly welcome the Pakistan contingent to India and hope they have a great stay and two Matches for all to remember as History. We are looking forward to meet and greet them.

On the field, what do you expect from Pakistan?

All the matches that I have played against them have been much more than a normal game and both the sides stay aware of it. We would like to give our best and it applies to our Friends from Pakistan as well. For them too, this is a Special game. An Indo-Pak clash is always special.

You are the Senior Pro in the Team now. What do juniors expect from you?

I have tried to talk and share as much as I can with all. In fact, I am emulating exactly what my Seniors did to me when I was a junior guy. The idea is not to behave like a cliché Senior but gel with everyone. It’s a team Sport and everyone learns from everyone. The orthodox fact of behaving like ‘Seniors’ doesn’t stay in my dictionary and my doors stay open for everyone as much the doors of Francis (Fernandes) and Robin (Singh) stay open for all too.

How has the training been so far?

It’s been progressive which is very important. All the Players were coming from different I-League Teams and had a different >