Credit: Twitter
In the build-up to their ODI World Cup 2023 clash against New Zealand, scheduled to be played on Sunday, October 22, at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, the Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli spoke at length about their upcoming opponents. The two of the biggest cricketers from Team India talked about how New Zealand are a tactically strong team which doesn’t make many mistakes.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were the part of the Indian cricket team in the ODI World Cup 2019, which played the semi final of the competition against New Zealand at the Old Trafford in Manchester. It was a pulsating contest from the beginning to the end, which went into the reserve day due to rain interruptions, in which the Blackcaps got the better of the Men in Blue by a margin of 18 runs.
Also Read: ICC ODI World Cup 2023: India vs New Zealand Stats Preview - Check out interesting stats and facts
The official broadcasters of the ODI World Cup 2023, Star Sports, shared an exclusive video on their YouTube channel, in which Rohit Sharma spoke at length about the tactical aspect of New Zealand, while urging his team to take their game to the next level.
Watch Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli talk at length about New Zealand here:
The Indian captain said, “I think when I talk about tactical, New Zealand comes to my mind to be honest. I feel they are tactically very strong. They bowl and they bat according to the plans that is been given to them. I don’t know what happens inside their dressing room, as to what they talk about the game and all that. But definitely when you play against them you know that some sort of planning has been done against each individuals. Again when I say these things, it means that we have to up our ante and we just got to take our game to the next level.”
“Yes they have beaten us in ICC tournaments regularly. So, for us it is important that you know we try and understand the situation first. What is the situation of the team and what we need to do as individuals. And then try and play the game,” Rohit added.
Virat Kohli pointed out the structural aspect of New Zealand and how they have become consistent at playing cricket in the last few years. He said, “They are very professional side. They are a very structured side. They have a very structured way of playing their cricket. But within that structure they are very consistent and that’s been the reason for their success consistently. They are a very very consistent side. And credit to the way they have played their cricket.
Also Watch: Pundits share best XI in exclusive Fantasy Show ahead of India vs New Zealand ODI World Cup 2023
“Any team that plays against them obviously has to find ways of breaking that rhythm and playing to the best of their abilities, which will eventually decide whether you’re gonna be able to cope up with their consistency or not. Because they are not a team that makes many mistakes. That’s been their strength,” he added.
“And at the international level if you don’t make many mistakes, then you have a great chance of winning the game more often than not. So that’s, as I said, full credit to the way they have structured their cricket. And the way they have come up in world cricket in the last six-seven years, 2015 finalists, 2019 finalists, and they beat us in the ICC Test Championship final as well. So yeah, big credit goes to them,” Virat concluded.
