ICC World Cup 2019: 'No Need to Panic', Sachin Tendulkar Says After New Zealand Defeat

India National Cricket Team went down against New Zealand by six wickets in the first warm-up game at the Kennington Oval in London on May 25. While there was a buzz around their loss, India legend Sachin Tendulkar feels there is no need to panic with that warm-up defeat.

No need to panic with one defeat: Tendulkar

Chasing 180 runs, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor shared a 114-run stand for the third wicket to set the tone for the chase. The duo batted with supreme authority domination the India bowling attack. Previously, Jasprit Bumrah provided an early breakthrough, but Williamson and Taylor nullified that with a 100+ stand. Although both of the settled batters went back to the hut, Henry Nicholls ensured they go home safely.

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Previously, Virat Kohli’s decision to bat first backfired. Trent Boult wrecked havoc dismissing both the openers – Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan early. Striving at 10 for two, Virat Kohli looked to stitch a partnership with KL Rahul, who came at four with Vijay Shankar injured. Boult claimed his third wicket removing Rahul while Jimmy Neesham removed Kohli to have India at 39 for four. But significant contributions from Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja helped them post 179 runs.

Soon after their loss, there was a buzz around Indian National Cricket Team’s chances in the World Cup. However, Sachin Tendulkar feels there is no need to worry about the defeat. The highest-ever run-scorer in ODI and Test cricket, Tendulkar said that in a tournament, one two matches go here and there. He also feels that Virat Kohli & Co need to settle first and make the most out of the next practice game.

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“I will not judge the team after each and every game. It’s a tournament and things like these will happen,” Tendulkar said to PTI. “The main tournament has not even started yet. I think, we need to settle down, one or two games may go here and there. India should make the most of the practice matches. I won’t panic at all as of now,” he added.