Ahead of the ODI World Cup final, Virender Sehwag claimed that India have certain advantages over Australia and in fact, Pat Cummins and Co. are a little afraid to take on Rohit Sharma’s men. However, this will not be a “one-sided matter.”
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Sehwag said: “India will definitely have an advantage. Australia will be a bit afraid to face India in the final. To win the World Cup, the only team you did not want to face in the final is India.” “Also, I don’t think the field will make a big difference. It will be a tough match and it won’t be one-sided.”
Australia, who had a slow start to the World Cup, appear to have found their mojo again. In the second semi-final, Australia defeated South Africa by three wickets.
Pointing out their strengths, Sehwag agreed that “the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith were part of the team that won the World Cup final in 2015. They will share their experience of playing in the final with the group.” Sehwag added: “A big match like this.” It is important that we do everything we can. Australia is a team that knows how to do it. They don’t give up easily. To beat Australia, you have to play 100 overs of good cricket.”
Players understand pressure: Rohit Sharma
India are unbeaten in 10 matches and are looking to secure their first world title in more than a decade in front of some 130,000 fans at the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Speaking before the match during a press conference, captain Rohit Sharma on Saturday said his players understand the pressure of being Indian cricketers and remain “calm and collected” in the World Cup final against five-time world champions Australia.
“Before every match, we were very calm about what we wanted to do, because we know how things are outside the environment that we have,” Rohit told reporters.
“Expectations, pressure, criticism, everything, so it’s important that we stick to our strengths and what we want to do as a team.”
“I can’t tell you how they (the players) feel, but when they are around the group, everyone seems completely relaxed and calm. Being an Indian cricketer, you have to deal with pressure, that’s a given, it’s there.”
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Updated: 18 November 2023, 08:32 PM IST
