India is up against New Zealand in their fourth group-stage match of the ODI World Cup 2023. The Indian side, led by Rohit Sharma, is aiming to maintain their winning streak in the tournament, with a particular focus on breaking a 20-year record against the Kiwi team, which they have not beaten in any ICC tournament.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, ahead of the highly anticipated clash, expressed an intriguing perspective. He stated that he wouldn't mind if India were to lose their group stage match against New Zealand, drawing inspiration from the advice of legendary India captain MS Dhoni during the 2011 World Cup campaign.
"In 2011 India lost one game. And that was a league game to New Zealand, but they went on to win the World Cup. I remember MS Dhoni when he was the captain said once, 'You know, sometimes in the league format (in World Cup), it's good to lose one game, you know, because you know, you don't want to be suddenly caught in a semi final or final where you want everything and then you get the shivers,'" Shastri revealed on Star Sports.
India has been in impeccable form, securing four consecutive victories in the tournament. The experienced duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has played pivotal roles in these wins, collectively accumulating an impressive total of 524 runs in the four matches played thus far. Kohli's standout performance came in the form of his 48th ODI century, which played a crucial role in India's fourth consecutive victory against Bangladesh. This century marked Kohli's 78th international ton, inching him closer to Sachin Tendulkar's world record of 49 ODI centuries.
India's successes in the tournament haven't solely relied on their batting prowess but also on their formidable bowling unit. The bowlers have collectively taken a total of 36 wickets in the four games, making a significant contribution to the team's success. Notable victories have come against formidable opponents like Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, showcasing India's dominance in the ODI World Cup 2023.
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