India’s cricket team has been a formidable force in the ongoing Cricket World Cup, boasting an unbroken winning streak in all nine group stage matches. They are the only team in the tournament to remain undefeated.
Overcoming Challenges with Determination
Despite facing minor setbacks, such as a 2/3 score against Australia in Chennai and a 229/9 against England in Lucknow, India has consistently demonstrated resilience and strength. Their success, according to Star Sports interviewee Dravid, is largely due to a unique challenge the team set for themselves.
India’s Special Mission
Dravid shared, “We set ourselves a little bit of challenge ahead of the World Cup. Thousands of fans in nine different cities, and passion of our fans. We really wanted to put our best foot forward and give a really good display. And I think the boys have responded and done really well.”
India was the only team to play in nine different venues, each one new for their group game, during the World Cup.
Impressive Performance Against the Netherlands
Dravid expressed satisfaction with their latest victory over the Netherlands in Bengaluru. He appreciated the opportunity for the team to shake off any rustiness before the semi-finals, with five batsmen getting their starts and a couple scoring impressive hundreds.
Beneficial Experimentation with the Ball
Dravid also highlighted the benefits of experimenting with the ball, which provided an opportunity to explore other options that may prove useful in future games.
Confidence in the Batting Unit
Dravid’s confidence in his batting unit was evident, particularly in the middle-order. He praised their performance under pressure and their adaptability to different game situations. He singled out Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Suryakumar Yadav for their exceptional performances, which have boosted the team’s confidence heading into the semi-finals.
Upcoming Semi-Final Against New Zealand
India is set to face New Zealand in the first semi-final of the World Cup at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on 15 November.