IND vs NZ: Ravi Shastri And Ricky Ponting Inspire Team India Ahead Of Semifinal Clash Against New Zealand
Published - 15 Nov 2023, 01:07 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:22 AM
Former head coach Ravi Shastri offered words of encouragement to India before the ICC World Cup 2023 semi-final against New Zealand. Ravi Shastri advised the Rohit Sharma-led team to believe in themselves and focus on their current form in the ongoing World Cup.
The Men in Blue will lock horns with the Black Caps in their next match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday, November 15. Notably, the Kane Williamson-led team emerged victorious the last time the two teams faced off in the ODI World Cup semi-finals.
Believe In The Ways You’re Playing At The Moment – Ravi Shastri
In a video shared by ICC on its Instagram handle, Ravi Shastri pointed out that the Indian team lifted the trophy when they last played the ODI World Cup at home. Shastri emphasized the importance of disregarding past events at the moment.
“I think just believe in yourself and believe in the way you’re playing at the moment. Not to forget, you’re playing at home. Cut all the other stuff that’s happened on the way. Only remember the last time you played at home, you won the World Cup. As simple as that. So what’s happened in between, to hell with that. Play to win,” Ravi Shastri said.
Team Goes Through The Roof – Ricky Ponting
During the same video, former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting dismissed concerns about India peaking too soon in the World Cup. He emphasized the potential for further improvement and urged the players to focus on reaching their peak performance in the final match.
“The question was asked to both of us if we were worried that India were peaking too soon, and the answer that we both gave was no. Who says that this is them peaking? Who says that they can’t get better? If I was around the current Indian team now, all I’d be saying to those guys was, let’s try and find a way to make sure we actually peak in the final of this tournament. We’re nowhere near peaking yet. If every individual can find five percent in their game, your team’s performance goes through the roof. So that’s what I’ll be saying to that Indian team at the moment,” Ricky Ponting said.
Also read: They Can Play Only T20 Cricket: Virender Sehwag On Ravi Shastri’s Suggestion To Reduce Overs In ODIs
