NEW DELHI: India head coach Rahul Dravid expressed unwavering confidence in the team's "vibe and energy" ahead of the highly anticipated World Cup semi-final clash against New Zealand on Wednesday. The fixture carries added significance as it provides India with an opportunity to avenge their heart-wrenching loss to the Kiwis in the last-four encounter four years ago.
Dravid acknowledged the weight of the impending semi-final, stating, "I think we will be inauthentic if we say 'it's just another game.' Yes, of course, it's the semi-final, but I think our processes and what we have done in each and every game is not going to change."
Reflecting on the pressure associated with such a crucial match, Dravid highlighted the team's resilience, saying, "There is going to be a certain amount of pressure, but I think the way we have responded to the pressure so far gives us a lot of belief and a lot of confidence. I am confident of the vibe and energy in the group."
Recalling the 2019 semi-final defeat against New Zealand, the coach emphasised the importance of learning from past experiences. "When it's going well, it looks good. One loss and everyone says 'you don't know anything,'" Dravid quipped, alluding to the unpredictable nature of cricket.
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Turning his attention to the team's batting prowess, Dravid commended the middle-order's stellar performances, particularly singling out Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja. "Our middle-order has been fantastic," he remarked. With top-order stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma leading the tournament's batting charts, Dravid expressed confidence in the team's collective experience and form.
As Team India readies itself for the semi-final showdown, the coach stressed the importance of maintaining form and drawing from recent successes. "For them to be batting the way they are, whether it's been Shreyas, whether it's been KL, and even Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja), even Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) just gives us that confidence that we have got that experience," Dravid asserted.
With Kohli leading the run charts in the tournament and the team showing all-round strength, the stage is set for a gripping encounter.
(With inputs from AFP)The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
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