India head into their final league stage fixture of the 2023 ODI World Cup against Netherlands in Bengaluru on Sunday, having guaranteed themselves of the top spot in the points table regardless of the final result in the match.
Addressing the press ahead of the fixture, head coach Rahul Dravid praised the performance of the Men in Blue in the eight matches so far and opted to focus on doing the best in the ninth match on Sunday. “I think just taking the box off, I think what we’ve been doing really well, which is I think we’ve maintained some really high standards. In terms of our execution, our intensity and I think it’s just continuing on that.”
“We know we have nine boxes to tick, and we’ve ticked eight. And we would certainly like to put on another really good display, do our best. It’s all we can ask for and hope for from the boys. And hopefully, if we do our best, then the results will look after themselves,” Dravid said on Saturday.
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The 50-year-old praised the role of skipper Rohit Sharma, who has given India good starts at the top of the order and said his explosive batting at the top had helped “cracked open the game”. “Rohit has certainly been a leader, you know, without a doubt. I think he’s led by example both on and off the field.”
“Some of the starts that he’s given us, the way he’s cracked open games for us. There have been some games where it could have been tricky for us, but the fact that he’s been able to get us to those kinds of starts has literally cracked open the game,” the former captain said.
Dravid was asked whether India would be looking to make any changes to their side on Sunday and he said between choosing to look at the larger picture and focus on the here and now, the team was aiming to do the latter more than the former.
“To be honest with you, you’re at a pointy end in a tournament now. So now at this stage it’s about just focusing on getting the guys who you think are going to be playing in the 11 in the best possible space mentally and physically to be able to play that semifinal and hopefully the final if we if we earn it.”
“So that will be the single pointed thinking it’s not about there are times there are times for larger picture thinking and there are times for narrow focus thinking in my opinion and now’s the time for sure narrow focus thinking if everyone is fit,” he said.
Netherlands have been very impressive: Dravid
The India head coach also praised Netherlands for their performance at the 2023 ODI World Cup and applauded the ICC for their work in improving the standards.
“Yeah, very impressive. I think we’re very impressed with the way they have played in this tournament. The effort that they’ve gone through to be able to qualify. I have some, I wouldn’t say first-hand experience, but I certainly know how difficult it is for associate teams to be able to reach this level and play.”
“Having spent some time in Scotland myself in the early part of the – in early 2000, spent some time there and I know things have improved for the Associates since then,” Dravid said.
“Certainly, over the last 20 years, the ICC has done a very good job of trying to improve their standards and try to give their players the same amount of opportunities,” he added.
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