Ravi Shastri backed India’s potential in the 2024 T20 World Cup, stressing the importance of winning in crucial knockout matches, after India’s defeat to Australia in the WC despite an earlier unbeaten streak.
Former head coach Ravi Shastri highlighted India’s potential as a strong contender in the upcoming T20 World Cup, stressing the critical significance of triumphing in the decisive knockout matches. Reflecting on Australia’s recent victory over India in a one-sided final, Shastri highlighted the unpredictability of winning tournaments, citing Sachin Tendulkar’s prolonged wait for World Cup success.
“Nothing comes easy — even the great man Sachin Tendulkar had to wait (for) six World Cups to win one. You don’t win (a) World Cup (easily), to win a World Cup you have got to be damn good on that big day,” Shastri said during the registration launch of the Indian Street Premier League on Monday, November 27th.
Shastri further highlighted that previous performances matter little compared to rising to the occasion on the significant day of the match.
“What you do earlier does not count, on that big day, that is when you rise to the occasion. Even before the start of the tournament you knew that, what happens (in terms of the format). Early doors (are there), (and) once top four teams are there, in the semifinal and final. Those two days if you perform, you win. And those were the two days when Australia performed when they came from nowhere. They(Australia) lost the first two, but on the D-day, the two days, they did,” Shastri explained.
The former Indian skipper also expressed confidence in India’s emerging young talent for the forthcoming T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA next year. Despite the heartbreak of the recent tournament loss, he believes India is on the verge of securing a World Cup victory, especially in the shorter T20 format due to a solid nucleus of players.
“It was heartbreaking but (a) lot of our guys will learn, the game moves on, (and) I see India winning a World Cup very soon. It might not be a 50-overs (one) that easily because you have to rebuild the side, but 20-overs cricket, the very next one India will be very serious challengers because you have got the nucleus, this is a shorter format of the game. Your focus should be on that,” he added.
While acknowledging the pain of India’s missed opportunity in the final, Shastri highlighted India’s formidable strength throughout the tournament, remaining optimistic about India’s future success. He also underlined the collective performance of the Indian bowlers, notably Mohammed Shami’s impressive 24 wickets, emphasizing that their unified effort provided India with the “best chance” during the mid-stage of the tournament.
Last Updated on November 27, 2023
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