Ian Healy, the former Australian wicket-keeper, voiced some reservations regarding India’s approach, even though they’ve won four consecutive matches in the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup. Healy pondered if Rohit Sharma’s team is exerting excessive energy in the early stages of the competition.
India’s latest victory came at the MCA Stadium in Pune, where they defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets, largely thanks to Virat Kohli’s unbeaten century. This win followed their previous victories over Australia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Nevertheless, Healy expressed uncertainty about India’s high-energy approach.
Healy remarked, “I have a new concern for India. (Kohli’s) knock was impressive, and Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill performed well at the top. However, my worry is the considerable energy they are investing in these victories. I fear they may experience an emotional letdown. They might be overdoing it.”
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He highlighted their intensity, spirited fielding, and enthusiastic reactions to both good and bad plays on the field. While acknowledging the vibrant atmosphere in Pune, Healy emphasized the need to conserve some of this energy for the later stages of the tournament.
He urged the Indian team to be mindful and not squander their intensity, saying, “In the next few games, to reach where they want to be, they’ll need to step up their game. They won’t always be facing teams like Bangladesh, and they must preserve their intensity for later. It’s essential not to exhaust it prematurely.”
India’s upcoming match will be against New Zealand, in what promises to be a clash of the only two undefeated teams in the World Cup. The match is set to take place at the picturesque HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala.
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