As the Indian and Pakistani skippers walked in for their pre-match press conference on Saturday, ahead of Sunday's crucial Group C Champions Trophy league match, one got the feeling both just wanted to get on with the game.
The continuous rain during the past few days meant that neither team got enough time for practice on the field. The indoor nets were the only refuge for both, which, at most times, it not the ideal preparation before a big game.
The weather indeed is the talking point at Edgbaston. The rain also meant that the pitch was kept covered and both Sourav Ganguly and Inzamam-ul Haq have no idea about what is in store for them.
Also Read
Indians just can't hook, says Woolmer
Sehwag must play his natural game: Wright
A BBC forecast said it will be a sunny day, but in England one can never tell how the weather gods will act.
At the press conference, both skippers were guarded. They wanted to make sure they didn't reveal too much.
But Ganguly did manage to say something that had everyone fully alert.
"I think Rohan Gavaskar will play," he said, in response to a question whether Dinesh Kartik or Gavaskar will be in the side for the match.
No reasons were given for his choice of Gavaskar, but the decision will mean Rahul Dravid will have to don the gloves again.
India are without Sachin Tendulkar, Laxmipathy Balaji and Zaheer Khan, but Ganguly feels their absence will not affect the team's showing.
"From the beginning we knew that they wouldn't be there, so we were prepared for that. At the end of the day, it is the team that plays best on the day that wins. That's exactly what we hope to do," said Ganguly.
The atmosphere for the game, as with all India-Pakistan games, is amazing.
"It will be good to see Indians and Pakistanis sitting together and making a lot of noise," said Inzamam, "It's always a big game. But, at the end of the day, we have to remember it's just a cricket game."
Ganguly felt the toss will not play a very big part, as the wickets in England will always offer assistance to the new ball bowlers. The wicket, he said, will be good for batting as the match wears on.
Inzamam, however, felt otherwise.
"The side that wins the toss will have a 20 per cent advantage because of the weather conditions," he said.
The Pakistan captain gave credit to coach Bob Woolmer for the team's showing thus far.
"The coach has changed a lot of things and the boys are very happy. That's why the team is looking good. We have not produced the desired results so far but one can be sure that will happen very soon as well."
But both captains echoed similar views when they said, as in all ODI matches, the team's performance on the day is what will count.
India have lost to Pakistan twice this season, in Sri Lanka and the Netherlands. Can they turn tables on their arch-rivals tomorrow?
More from rediff