In 2019, Team India mirrored their current 2023 World Cup success by finishing at the top of the table. Led by Virat Kohli, they were the favorites to win the championship on English soil, but a disastrous 45-minute stretch in the semifinal against New Zealand ended their hopes. Fast forward four years, and India finds itself in a nearly identical scenario. After sweeping nine consecutive league games, they face New Zealand once again in a high-stakes semifinal clash this Wednesday in Mumbai.
Team India finished first in the points table in 2019 as well, as it did in the ongoing 2023 World Cup. Men in Blue led by Virat Kohli at that time was seen as the biggest contender for the elusive World Cup championship in England. But India’s dreams were dashed when “45 minutes of bad cricket” cost them the semifinal against New Zealand in Manchester. Four years later, India finds itself in the same situation, having won nine straight league games, and it is New Zealand who stands between them and a place in the final, as the two meet in a semifinal showdown in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Historically, the World Cup semifinals have been a struggle for India, with a success rate of only three wins in seven attempts. Despite these statistics, head coach Rahul Dravid believes his squad is well-equipped to overcome the Blackcaps, given their stellar performance in the lead-up to this match.
Dravid admitted that calling this 'just another game' would be fake, acknowledging the inherent weight of a semifinal. While he recognizes the pressure that comes with a knockout match, he insists that the team's internal processes won't shift. He believes the squad's ability to handle stress during the tournament has given them the necessary confidence to succeed
I think the way we have responded to pressure so far gives us a lot of belief and a lot of confidence.
The coach further mentioned that there will be no changes to their training or preparation routines, noting that the team's current energy and atmosphere are very positive. According to Dravid, the goal is simply to stay present, execute their plan meticulously, and play their best game of cricket.