"New Zealand Are Most Disciplined Team" - Rohit Sharma Unfazed By 2019 WC Semi-Final Defeat

India National Cricket Team captain Rohit Sharma has made it very clear that the past records of his team against New Zealand won’t matter in the upcoming semi-final clash and their entire focus is on the present.

The high-octane World Cup 2023 semi-final match between the Black Caps and the Men In Blue is set to be hosted by the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15. As India gear up for the New Zealand challenge, the memories of the 2019 World Cup semi-final will haunt the side and they will be looking forward to avenging that defeat.

Rohit Sharma attended a press conference ahead of the match and he labeled New Zealand as the most disciplined team. He also said that the Black Caps have been very consistent in the ICC competitions. He said:

“Whenever we have come up against New Zealand, probably the most disciplined team. They play their cricket very smartly. They understand the mentality of their opposition so do we. They have been very consistent playing semis and finals from 2015 onwards. We do understand what they bring to the table. “

You have it in the back of your mind what has happened in the past – Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma further said that their entire focus is on self-improvement as a team. He said:

“That’s the beauty of this team. We weren’t even born when we won the World Cup in 1983. Half of them were not playing when we won in 2011. I don’t see them talking about how we won our previous World Cups. The focus is on how we can get better and how we can improve. That’s the beauty of the current crop of players. From game number one, the focus is on to win today.”

Rohit also admitted that the past records are in the back of the minds of players, but their focus is on the present.

“You have it in the back of your mind what has happened in the past. I don’t think there is much to talk about what happened 10 or 5 years ago or in the last World Cup,” he said.

India dominated the group stage of the World Cup 2023 and finished at the No.1 spot. They didn’t drop a single game and won 9 out of 9 matches to finish on a high.