Cricket Rivals Embrace the Occasion as India-Pakistan Showdown Approaches
The much-anticipated cricket clash between India and Pakistan is just around the corner, and both teams have seen enough of each other in recent times to treat the contest as a serious game of cricket, and not much more. The 2011 ODI World Cup semi-final between the two sides in Mohali was a significant occasion, with the then-India coach Gary Kirsten and the rest of the staff leaving the meeting room to give the players a moment to themselves.
Now, the occasion remains significant, but the edge is taken off a little as these matches have become more frequent, with a World Cup every year and the teams facing each other in the league stage. Results in “big matches” have become a millstone around the current Indian team’s neck, though they don’t necessarily play poorly in such fixtures.
“I want to approach the match as just another international game, focusing on the present moment and the specific over or decision at hand, rather than getting caught up in the high expectations and stakes,” says Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain.
Kirsten, who has coached both India and Pakistan, advises the teams to embrace the occasion but play cricket as it should be played – hitting the ball in the right areas, scoring runs, taking catches, and fielding well.
The vibe around the match feels a bit different this time, with it being played in a neutral venue. Kirsten says he felt a good vibe during his early morning ride around the stadium, and both teams will be looking to put on a show for the passionate fans who have come out to support them.
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