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Head coach Rahul Dravid has indicated that India will be fielding its strongest possible XI for their final group-stage match of the ODI World Cup against the Netherlands on Sunday, November 12. Despite already securing a top spot in the points table, Dravid emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum and giving all players a chance to contribute.
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With a six-day break between their last match against South Africa and the Netherlands clash, Dravid stated that the players are well-rested and ready to perform. He acknowledged the pressure on the frontline seamers, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj, due to Hardik Pandya's injury and the lack of a dedicated sixth bowling option.
Despite these challenges, Dravid is confident in the team's ability to deliver a strong performance against the Netherlands and maintain their winning streak heading into the semi-finals.
"We've had six days off from the last game. So, we're pretty well rested and the guys are in good shape. That's all I'll say without giving away the level. So, we've had six days off, we've got one game before the semi-final. Boys are rested. So that's all I'll say," Dravid said in the pre-match press conference on Saturday, November 11.
Dravid, meanwhile, has cast doubt on the possibility of Prasidh Krishna making his World Cup debut in the upcoming match against the Netherlands. Despite being called up as a replacement for the injured Hardik Pandya, Dravid indicated that Krishna's chances are slim.
Dravid explained that the team's current bowling lineup, consisting of Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj, has been performing well and that he is hesitant to disrupt their rhythm.
"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 XI 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," Dravid said.
Team India remains the only undefeated team in the ongoing Cricket World Cup, and they head into their match against the Netherlands and their semi-final clash against New Zealand as firm favorites. However, Dravid is well aware of the threat posed by New Zealand, who emerged victorious over an in-form India in the semi-finals of the previous World Cup.
"I think we just want to focus one game at a time. You still have to play good cricket, whether you're playing in a league game, as we've done, or whether you've got to play a semi-final. I mean, you've just got certain skills you've got to execute, and execute really well and execute better than the opposition.
"You just got to focus on that, focus on what you can control, which is your skills, your ability. Prepare yourself both mentally, and physically as best as you can for the game. And then and then just play that game and try and do the best in that particular game," Dravid concluded.
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