SpiritOf1903
ODI Debutant
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They'll get beaten by NZ, SA and be taking the rickshaws home
-
Contact the PP Team
India's road to the final of the 2023 World Cup
- Thread starter Kohli The King of Chase
- Start date
aboveandbeyond
First Class Star
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Nope. I see another choke by the choke masters in the semis
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It has been a great going for team India in this World Cup with 4 wins out of 4 but I don't think that they or any other team would go on to the win the World Cup unbeaten so it would be better for them to lose a group game rather than a knockout game.
Ab Fan
Senior Test Player
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No real arrogance as such but this Indian side is winning games really comfortably. Most of the wins have been by 6 or 7 wickets and with almost 10 or more overs left.
The performance has been commanding from batters and bowlers so much so that Hardik only got to bat once and Jadeja is yet to even hold a bat in this World Cup. KL Rahul is averaging infinity with bat as he is undismissed in 4 games that are played. Even guys like Iyer and Gill are getting bored and throwing their wickets.
So, the question here is who is the team( if there is any) that can really stop this side who is playing like an Invincible XI? The next game is against New Zealand, can they do it?
The performance has been commanding from batters and bowlers so much so that Hardik only got to bat once and Jadeja is yet to even hold a bat in this World Cup. KL Rahul is averaging infinity with bat as he is undismissed in 4 games that are played. Even guys like Iyer and Gill are getting bored and throwing their wickets.
So, the question here is who is the team( if there is any) that can really stop this side who is playing like an Invincible XI? The next game is against New Zealand, can they do it?
Ab Fan
Senior Test Player
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The thread got merged but it would have been real fun in coming days 
hitthestump
First Class Captain
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History suggests that the team that will stop India is India.
But even for habitual ICC chokers it’s going to be hard for them. They have every advantage imaginable in this WC.
It’s like playing a video game with a cheat code on. Seemingly the only thing they can’t select is the weather.
Otherwise there is no obvious weakness in their team or in their environment right now.
Bhaijaan
Hall of Famer
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- Post of the Week
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Today’s match has got me genuinely worried.
I’m the beginning, I was only afraid of a batting blowout from England, South Africa
As the tournament progressed, Aussie batting seems to have replaced the English.
But today NZ almost chased down 400 vs Aussies.
This is some ridiculous batting firepower at display. In the history of the world cups, we have not witnessed this quality of batting firepower from this many teams.
Bharat has to have a serious plan in the KOs otherwise this could be a surprise punch for us.
I’m the beginning, I was only afraid of a batting blowout from England, South Africa
As the tournament progressed, Aussie batting seems to have replaced the English.
But today NZ almost chased down 400 vs Aussies.
This is some ridiculous batting firepower at display. In the history of the world cups, we have not witnessed this quality of batting firepower from this many teams.
Bharat has to have a serious plan in the KOs otherwise this could be a surprise punch for us.
Blow-outs can never be prevented. Any team can have a bad day. But I think even if initial wickets fall out batting can post a target near 300 and we have the bowling resources to restrict the opposition. Remember at Pallekale when pakistan was in good form we lost 4 wickets for 60 but still posted around 260. I think we have the arsenal to not have a full blown collapse like in the 2019 SF. This tea is much better than what we had 4 years ago. Team India high scores in 2023 are as follows:
399/5 vs AUS
390/5 vs SL
385/9 vs NZ
373/7 vs SL
356/2 vs PAK
351/5 vs WI
I just hope we can keep this form intact till the end without any heartbreaks.
399/5 vs AUS
390/5 vs SL
385/9 vs NZ
373/7 vs SL
356/2 vs PAK
351/5 vs WI
I just hope we can keep this form intact till the end without any heartbreaks.
Also WC ko games are a different beast. There's so much pressure- teams just can't play with abandon. Batting 1st - 300 is pretty much a winning score in a ko. Plus the pressure of chasing in a ko is ridiculously insane. If ind wins toss- they should bat 1st no matter what
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Also this is another reason ind should stick with Shami instead of that useless thakur as having 5 proper bowlers restricts team totals.. ind has a good bowling attack and no team as of now has yet to score 300 against us. And I hope ind bats 1st atleast a couple of league games before the sf
saqib.rai
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Need to get rid of Kohli and Sharma who have CONSTANTLY FAILED in Knockouts
Both are good at winning useless bilaterals NOT icc tournaments
globetrotter
Local Club Captain
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No need for ICT to think about it bcos bowling unit also have great strength to demolish opponent at low score.
1983 WC win is a gr8 example.. India bowled out to 183 in final, thereafter Indian bowlers demolished powerful WI batting to 143
1983 WC win is a gr8 example.. India bowled out to 183 in final, thereafter Indian bowlers demolished powerful WI batting to 143
Relax and enjoy the matches. The team that performs better in the match will win. The team that perfoms better in the final will lift the title. No country has any rights to lift the trophy based on statistics or past records. It is performance in the match that will determine the winner.
in the past, the Indian batters seem to changed their approach in KOs and went into the shell. They should approach this like any other game.
On paper, India is a well balanced team compared to Australia. But SA and NZ are also well balanced but seem to mess it up in KOs too.
captain.hansolo
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you dont watch much cricket.
JaDed
Test Star
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Yeah we should get Babar and Rizwan and not reach the KOs.
That way they can be u disputed king of KOs
pillionrider
T20I Debutant
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Rohit wants a WC bad. He is desperate.
Virat already has one, but he seems fully committed to acquiring another.
The support cast are ready and willing.
I don't think we will choke or underperform. If we lose, it will be because the other team played even better.
Virat already has one, but he seems fully committed to acquiring another.
The support cast are ready and willing.
I don't think we will choke or underperform. If we lose, it will be because the other team played even better.
Suleiman
Senior T20I Player
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Drop out of the tournament. Can’t collapse if you don’t face them.
globetrotter
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Yeah, In Asia cup match against Pakistan, Rohit and Virat were departed early, but still India managed to put 265 on boards which was a good total
Hitman
Senior T20I Player
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Babar has played 2 World Cups so far, and his team has failed to make the semis in both the World Cups. This is his third World Cup. Would be abject humiliation if his team fails to make the semis third time in a row.
battler
ODI Debutant
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I feel Rahul will not choke this time. I expect him to play one clutch innings in a KO. He looks very focused since his comeback in the Asia Cup, feel something has changed mentally with him for the better.
CricketCartoons
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Hopefully it is either NZ or Australia. SA are losers and Ind is toxic.
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[Reporter:]
After the Pakistan game, you said in the mix zone that you joked with Rohit that you would like to bowl under the lights. Today you got that opportunity. How excited were you for that opportunity? To bowl with dew, with so much control and drift, how special was it?
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
I mean, it is good if we get the batting first. But if we get a good score, it would have been more fun. The score was good at 230 and the wicket was difficult. The way Rohit [Sharma] batted and gave a good respectable total of 230. I was hoping that if we get two wickets in powerplay, we will be in the game. The way Shami and Jasprit bowled, the first spell, they got two wickets in powerplay and we were back in the game.
My job was simple, to bowl at a good length. It was spinning. I used the crease well. The result was good.
[Reporter:]
[inaudible]
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
Both the balls were good. I think both the balls were the same. There were no changes. The quality is important, and the quality of the players is also very important. They were very important wickets. And the team won – that is more important.
[Reporter:]
Lucknow is your home ground. What kind of support were you getting in this? And what was going on in your mind before you bowled?
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
I know my hometown well and the conditions very well. The wicket spins and when you bowl on seam, it spins better. I was trying to bowl the ball on a good length and use the crease well.
There is always public support. Wherever you play in India, even before this we played in Dharamshala, there was full support. And after that, here, it felt good to play on my home ground.
There is always a special feeling.
Winning is very important and we won – so that increases our happiness.
[Reporter:]
Was this pitch good for one day cricket?
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
100% it was a good wicket. It was challenging. 50 over is all about skill and if you are set then batting is easy and at night the ball was seaming well, and if you have quality seamers then you are always in the game and 100% this was perfect wicket for one day.
[Reporter:]
What do you think about the England team, they are defending champions. The way they are playing and the way their condition is, is it surprising?
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
I mean, they have a very good team, they have been playing good cricket. They have changed cricket a lot and every time everything doesn’t go in your favour. Sometimes you face bad times, I am sure they are thinking the same.
The English fan's expectations for the performance were not met.
Whichever team is playing, they are playing their best cricket and they want to defeat big teams. The biggest motivation for every team is that England is a big team. They were the last World Cup champions. So, the motivation is always high.
Even for us they are a big team. We were thinking the same way when we were preparing for this game. We were thinking that they will be a good competition in the game.
Definitely if you win against a big team, you are always happy.
You don't look at the other team that way because you are playing against them. You always think about doing your best and winning.
[Reporter:]
Who would you like to see in the semi-finals?
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
I think there are 3 matches left and then we will see who comes in the semi-final. We have to perform well in the remaining three matches.
[Reporter:]
[inaudible]
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
This full year I have played one day matches and bowled at night. I have played in Australia, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. I have always been prepared. I have played more one day cricket this year. There is no big change in bowling at night.
I mean, there is only one factor of dew. As a bowler, you don't want to bowl in dew because it's easier to bat, but I don't have a problem with bowling at night or during the day. If your batsmen score well, 300 plus, then bowling becomes a little easier.
But yes, 100% this has been because of the preparation for the whole year and the way we played back-to-back bilateral series this year, our preparation for the World Cup, so there is no drastic change in bowling at night or in the day.
[Reporter:]
[inaudible]
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
I focus on my bowling. I don't think much about the rest. I'm sure that all the members of the team, whether fast bowler or spinner, are focusing on their performance.
How they can do well collectively - I'm sure that all the fast bowlers are bowling in partnership, even the spinners. When you bowl, you think about how you can bowl well and get a wicket. We have 5 quality bowlers. Sometimes you might need a 6th bowler, like in Dharamshala, it was a high scoring game. So sometimes, you need a sixth bowler.
But right now, it's going well. We haven't had any issues in the last two matches.
[Reporter:]
Today the tailenders also needed to bat, how do you prepare for batting?
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
I am working hard on my batting, I am contributing to the team, I contribute 10-15 runs, it helps the team. The last 25-odd run partnership helped us to reach a good target of 230. I felt that we can defend it.
It's not like I'm only batting in matches. I'm also working on my batting in practice.
Sometimes I score, sometimes maybe it doesn’t hit the bat. I get out, we get the last 3-4 overs to bat. Sometimes you don't get a single, you get a few dots. You don't think like a batsman. If you get 2 dot balls, you get under pressure.
But yes, we are working on batting. Hopefully, in the future, we will make 15-20 runs instead of 10.
[Reporter:]
In the 2019 World Cup, 5 games back-to-back team India won. But you lost the 6th game against England.
But once again, something similar happened in 2023. The first 5 games you played, you won. 6th game, once again with team England.
Was it revenge or you felt that history is repeating itself after 229 total?
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
After 2019 we have played 2-3 bilateral series against England. So, we don't think much about revenge.
But yes, if it’s a good side, you prepare well and your plans are always ready. And obviously it feels good to beat a good team. You take a lot of confidence for the next match and the performance is also very important. Especially since it's the World Cup, whoever performs well, it is a big day for him. It’s nothing about revenge.
[Reporter:]
Did that match - beating the defending champions so convincingly, does that feel like a changing of the guard moment where it changes around for you?
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
I mean to be very honest it was good to win - beating defending champion. They don't have the great tournament so far. So it wasn't that tough - they restricted us for like 230.
We, as a bowler, thought probably we have to pick early wicket to be in the game and certainly Jasprit and Shami did and after they were four down for 40 runs, we just trying to bowl in perfect areas and make them make mistake.
That was our plan as a bowler, as a spinner, me and Jadeja. And definitely when you lose early wicket, you're always behind the game.
[Reporter:]
Does this England team feel different to the 2019 team?
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
I mean, I think conditions matter a lot. They have the best team. They played some really good cricket over the years and they have the same players. So, nothing changes.
After the Pakistan game, you said in the mix zone that you joked with Rohit that you would like to bowl under the lights. Today you got that opportunity. How excited were you for that opportunity? To bowl with dew, with so much control and drift, how special was it?
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
I mean, it is good if we get the batting first. But if we get a good score, it would have been more fun. The score was good at 230 and the wicket was difficult. The way Rohit [Sharma] batted and gave a good respectable total of 230. I was hoping that if we get two wickets in powerplay, we will be in the game. The way Shami and Jasprit bowled, the first spell, they got two wickets in powerplay and we were back in the game.
My job was simple, to bowl at a good length. It was spinning. I used the crease well. The result was good.
[Reporter:]
[inaudible]
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
Both the balls were good. I think both the balls were the same. There were no changes. The quality is important, and the quality of the players is also very important. They were very important wickets. And the team won – that is more important.
[Reporter:]
Lucknow is your home ground. What kind of support were you getting in this? And what was going on in your mind before you bowled?
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
I know my hometown well and the conditions very well. The wicket spins and when you bowl on seam, it spins better. I was trying to bowl the ball on a good length and use the crease well.
There is always public support. Wherever you play in India, even before this we played in Dharamshala, there was full support. And after that, here, it felt good to play on my home ground.
There is always a special feeling.
Winning is very important and we won – so that increases our happiness.
[Reporter:]
Was this pitch good for one day cricket?
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
100% it was a good wicket. It was challenging. 50 over is all about skill and if you are set then batting is easy and at night the ball was seaming well, and if you have quality seamers then you are always in the game and 100% this was perfect wicket for one day.
[Reporter:]
What do you think about the England team, they are defending champions. The way they are playing and the way their condition is, is it surprising?
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
I mean, they have a very good team, they have been playing good cricket. They have changed cricket a lot and every time everything doesn’t go in your favour. Sometimes you face bad times, I am sure they are thinking the same.
The English fan's expectations for the performance were not met.
Whichever team is playing, they are playing their best cricket and they want to defeat big teams. The biggest motivation for every team is that England is a big team. They were the last World Cup champions. So, the motivation is always high.
Even for us they are a big team. We were thinking the same way when we were preparing for this game. We were thinking that they will be a good competition in the game.
Definitely if you win against a big team, you are always happy.
You don't look at the other team that way because you are playing against them. You always think about doing your best and winning.
[Reporter:]
Who would you like to see in the semi-finals?
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
I think there are 3 matches left and then we will see who comes in the semi-final. We have to perform well in the remaining three matches.
[Reporter:]
[inaudible]
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
This full year I have played one day matches and bowled at night. I have played in Australia, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. I have always been prepared. I have played more one day cricket this year. There is no big change in bowling at night.
I mean, there is only one factor of dew. As a bowler, you don't want to bowl in dew because it's easier to bat, but I don't have a problem with bowling at night or during the day. If your batsmen score well, 300 plus, then bowling becomes a little easier.
But yes, 100% this has been because of the preparation for the whole year and the way we played back-to-back bilateral series this year, our preparation for the World Cup, so there is no drastic change in bowling at night or in the day.
[Reporter:]
[inaudible]
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
I focus on my bowling. I don't think much about the rest. I'm sure that all the members of the team, whether fast bowler or spinner, are focusing on their performance.
How they can do well collectively - I'm sure that all the fast bowlers are bowling in partnership, even the spinners. When you bowl, you think about how you can bowl well and get a wicket. We have 5 quality bowlers. Sometimes you might need a 6th bowler, like in Dharamshala, it was a high scoring game. So sometimes, you need a sixth bowler.
But right now, it's going well. We haven't had any issues in the last two matches.
[Reporter:]
Today the tailenders also needed to bat, how do you prepare for batting?
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
I am working hard on my batting, I am contributing to the team, I contribute 10-15 runs, it helps the team. The last 25-odd run partnership helped us to reach a good target of 230. I felt that we can defend it.
It's not like I'm only batting in matches. I'm also working on my batting in practice.
Sometimes I score, sometimes maybe it doesn’t hit the bat. I get out, we get the last 3-4 overs to bat. Sometimes you don't get a single, you get a few dots. You don't think like a batsman. If you get 2 dot balls, you get under pressure.
But yes, we are working on batting. Hopefully, in the future, we will make 15-20 runs instead of 10.
[Reporter:]
In the 2019 World Cup, 5 games back-to-back team India won. But you lost the 6th game against England.
But once again, something similar happened in 2023. The first 5 games you played, you won. 6th game, once again with team England.
Was it revenge or you felt that history is repeating itself after 229 total?
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
After 2019 we have played 2-3 bilateral series against England. So, we don't think much about revenge.
But yes, if it’s a good side, you prepare well and your plans are always ready. And obviously it feels good to beat a good team. You take a lot of confidence for the next match and the performance is also very important. Especially since it's the World Cup, whoever performs well, it is a big day for him. It’s nothing about revenge.
[Reporter:]
Did that match - beating the defending champions so convincingly, does that feel like a changing of the guard moment where it changes around for you?
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
I mean to be very honest it was good to win - beating defending champion. They don't have the great tournament so far. So it wasn't that tough - they restricted us for like 230.
We, as a bowler, thought probably we have to pick early wicket to be in the game and certainly Jasprit and Shami did and after they were four down for 40 runs, we just trying to bowl in perfect areas and make them make mistake.
That was our plan as a bowler, as a spinner, me and Jadeja. And definitely when you lose early wicket, you're always behind the game.
[Reporter:]
Does this England team feel different to the 2019 team?
[Kuldeep Yadav:]
I mean, I think conditions matter a lot. They have the best team. They played some really good cricket over the years and they have the same players. So, nothing changes.
Man - still cant believe Ind won the 83 WC and that too beating the mighty WI twice ..
captain.hansolo
Tape Ball Captain
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2013
- Runs
- 1,270
Pakistan not making the semifinals is not an anomaly, it’s the norm. They made the semifinals in 88, 92 (thanks in great parts to a washout against Australia, and the absurd rules on rain affected games that kept Australia out) and then 99 (even then they were least convincing in the super six where thanks to prior round victories and Zimbabwe as an upset qualification for the super six). They haven’t come close since then. Not in 03, not in 07, scrapped through with a lucky win against Australia in 11, not in 15, not in 19, and unlikely now. Thus in the past five tournaments they have managed a solitary qualification.
Hitman
Senior T20I Player
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2013
- Runs
- 17,582
Good for. his fans! They can claim Babar hasn't ever failed in any semi finals or finals of a WC.
Rohit was very hurt to have missed 2011 ODI WC. That was played at home, with final at Wankhede and us winning it incidentally, would have been icing on cake for him had he been part of that squad. But that was not to be.
So he looks extra determined this time as this would be his last ICC trophy and he wants to make amends.
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2018
- Runs
- 5,867
Ravindra Jadeja latest press conference:
[Reporter:]
"We had asked Rohit Sharma about which players are doing well. He took your name, he said that Jadeja is under the radar. He is doing very well. He is underappreciated. Did you hear that? That people are not talking about me today I will show them with my ball and bat."
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"No, I don't know honestly, but it's good that I am contributing well in the past 3-4 matches, in batting and bowling. I feel happy that in an important tournament, in important matches I am delivering with the bat and ball. It feels good. Important games are coming up - I am more confident about my individual performance."
[Reporter:]
"Can we expect that after the Australia and West Indies, if there is an unbeaten champion, it will be India in this World Cup."
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"We don't think much about what will happen in a match, we plan match by match. The upcoming knockout stage will be very important. The way the teams momentum is right now, with batting, bowling, in every department, we are clicking as a team. So, we will continue and try to make it the same in the semifinal and final."
[Reporter:]
"If you could tell us about the pitch. The South African coach said that the wicket was not one where you could score 320. You’ll scored a lot that way."
"How did the wicket behave in the first half? In the second half, when you bowled and took the punches, tell us about the wicket."
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"I think when they were bowling, it was more healthy. I think the turn was more and the bounce of the wicket was less. But now, if you ask me personally, the wicket in the afternoon and now - now it was a little easier. I won't say easy, but it was fine. But in the afternoon, there was turn and it was slow, so batsmen can't hit. But credit to Virat and the middle order batsmen who handled their spinners, it was very good.
We have an idea that whenever we come to Kolkata, the bounce is less and the spin is also there. So maybe that was an advantage that we knew that there will be spin and the wicket will be played slowly. Mentally we were prepared with this."
[Reporter:]
"In the last 2-3 matches, we are seeing that from the new ball, they are taking wickets with the new ball. As a spinner, when you come after that, how easy is it for you and Kuldeep? Tell us a little bit about this."
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"See, always, in any format that you are playing, when your fast bowler takes 2-3 wickets from the top, it becomes easier for the spinner. Because a batsman who comes on slow wickets cannot play big shots straight away. He needs time. And the spinner can bowl with more confidence. He can bowl with speed and variation.
I think it's good that all three fast bowlers are giving us 2-3 wickets in every match. Sometimes more than that. It's good.
Hopefully in the upcoming knockout stage if our team performs like this it will be very good"
[Reporter:]
"In the tournament, you won the last match with 300 runs, now again one sided. All 8 matches that India have won have been almost always one sided. This was thought to be the toughest match, but it was not proved.
So, don't you think that before going for a knockout, one more tough test was necessary for India?
And second, were you extra motivated for the birthday on the field?"
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"No, no. Playing for India and birthday is not related. Whenever we play for India in the jersey it is always a birthday. Very few people get a chance to wear Indian jersey so it is a big thing but if you do a good performance on your birthday and the team wins then it becomes double special and like you asked why no tough match was made - so it is good that there should not be any tough match, if the opponent team comes to play, they should feel that they are under more pressure and panic.
Their preparation is that they will go to play in front of India, their team is performing very well in batting, bowling, fielding. So, this should happen. And I will say that the stage that will come now is more important. So, if we are winning one side matches, then there will be more pressure on the other team."
[Reporter:]
"Continuing the same question. Virat's 49th century, Sachin Tendulkar's record of ODI 100, he has equalised, everywhere it was talk of the town, talk of the nation, somewhere Indian team will also know about it, how will you’ll celebrate, is there any special arrangement, will they plan anything?"
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"No, there is nothing like that. But whatever it is, 49 - 50, whatever it is, this joy is falling in the same plate. So, it's good. It's not going anywhere else. So let it be. What else?
The good news is that it is an important tournament and important games and it is happening in India. So whatever record is broken, runs are made, wickets are taken, it is good for us, so let it be, don't cast an evil eye on anyone."
[Reporter:]
"Thinking in place of a captain - if you have a player like you who is bowling 10 overs in every match, 50 runs in every match, batting, and fielding. So how happy would you be?"
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"I would be very happy. And you said I should think like a captain – I have been thinking like the captain since the first match, it’s just that I've never become one.
As an all-rounder – it is our role that if in a tough situation, they have to make 30, 35, 40 runs, and when the partnership is in place, they can change the game by taking one or two wickets. That's their role.
I always try to give an impactful performance in batting or bowling. When the team needs me, in any department. And I never take fielding for granted. I also feel that I can miss a catch. So, I am always more prepared, that if I get a catch, I don't relax on the field.
So, I just keep trying. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. But I keep trying."
[Reporter:]
"When you won the toss, it must have been very easy to bat first, seeing their record.
And second, did you have any idea that the wicket would be a little slow for spinners?"
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"No, after winning toss, we were trying to challenge ourselves. Because if we had bowled in the afternoon, we might not have scored so many runs.
As I said, the ball was stopping a lot, and there was no bounce. And the turn was increasing. It was continuously turning.
So, it was a challenge for us to take first batting and in the second innings if the dew comes, how can we bowl with the dew? Because if such a situation comes in the knockout stage, we should know how to handle that situation. That was the only reason."
[Reporter:]
"You have played with Virat's maximum during these 49 hundreds. You have seen him from the sidelines. So, looking at this pitch, how do you assess this 100? Where do you keep this 100 as a player?"
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"I would say this is special for him as well as tough because the way the wicket was in the afternoon, at one time it felt like 260-270 is also fine and at that time, rotating the strike and taking boundaries I think that must have been very challenging.
So, specially I would say that when the team was not getting a run, both their spinners were bowling well, and at such a time to rotate the strike, to take boundaries, and to get a score of above 300 and be not out - that is a very big achievement and a very big effort for him."
[Reporter:]
"So far you have been unbeaten in the tournament, but before the tournament started, which team were you considering more tough or more competitive in terms of your planning or preparation, team wise, who do you think will face the biggest challenge from this team or from these teams?"
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"See, in white ball cricket, sometimes due to the factor of dew, the situation becomes completely different. If we would have bowled in the afternoon and if dew would have come at night, then the ball would not have spinned maybe - as the ball was moving so much in the afternoon.
So sometimes in white ball, the main reason for dew is that any normal team also looks big and if there is no dew then everything can go in our favour, no team looks big, it looks like we will defeat them easily.
So, all that factors a lot and in which situation you make your game plan, that also matters."
[Reporter:]
"We had asked Rohit Sharma about which players are doing well. He took your name, he said that Jadeja is under the radar. He is doing very well. He is underappreciated. Did you hear that? That people are not talking about me today I will show them with my ball and bat."
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"No, I don't know honestly, but it's good that I am contributing well in the past 3-4 matches, in batting and bowling. I feel happy that in an important tournament, in important matches I am delivering with the bat and ball. It feels good. Important games are coming up - I am more confident about my individual performance."
[Reporter:]
"Can we expect that after the Australia and West Indies, if there is an unbeaten champion, it will be India in this World Cup."
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"We don't think much about what will happen in a match, we plan match by match. The upcoming knockout stage will be very important. The way the teams momentum is right now, with batting, bowling, in every department, we are clicking as a team. So, we will continue and try to make it the same in the semifinal and final."
[Reporter:]
"If you could tell us about the pitch. The South African coach said that the wicket was not one where you could score 320. You’ll scored a lot that way."
"How did the wicket behave in the first half? In the second half, when you bowled and took the punches, tell us about the wicket."
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"I think when they were bowling, it was more healthy. I think the turn was more and the bounce of the wicket was less. But now, if you ask me personally, the wicket in the afternoon and now - now it was a little easier. I won't say easy, but it was fine. But in the afternoon, there was turn and it was slow, so batsmen can't hit. But credit to Virat and the middle order batsmen who handled their spinners, it was very good.
We have an idea that whenever we come to Kolkata, the bounce is less and the spin is also there. So maybe that was an advantage that we knew that there will be spin and the wicket will be played slowly. Mentally we were prepared with this."
[Reporter:]
"In the last 2-3 matches, we are seeing that from the new ball, they are taking wickets with the new ball. As a spinner, when you come after that, how easy is it for you and Kuldeep? Tell us a little bit about this."
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"See, always, in any format that you are playing, when your fast bowler takes 2-3 wickets from the top, it becomes easier for the spinner. Because a batsman who comes on slow wickets cannot play big shots straight away. He needs time. And the spinner can bowl with more confidence. He can bowl with speed and variation.
I think it's good that all three fast bowlers are giving us 2-3 wickets in every match. Sometimes more than that. It's good.
Hopefully in the upcoming knockout stage if our team performs like this it will be very good"
[Reporter:]
"In the tournament, you won the last match with 300 runs, now again one sided. All 8 matches that India have won have been almost always one sided. This was thought to be the toughest match, but it was not proved.
So, don't you think that before going for a knockout, one more tough test was necessary for India?
And second, were you extra motivated for the birthday on the field?"
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"No, no. Playing for India and birthday is not related. Whenever we play for India in the jersey it is always a birthday. Very few people get a chance to wear Indian jersey so it is a big thing but if you do a good performance on your birthday and the team wins then it becomes double special and like you asked why no tough match was made - so it is good that there should not be any tough match, if the opponent team comes to play, they should feel that they are under more pressure and panic.
Their preparation is that they will go to play in front of India, their team is performing very well in batting, bowling, fielding. So, this should happen. And I will say that the stage that will come now is more important. So, if we are winning one side matches, then there will be more pressure on the other team."
[Reporter:]
"Continuing the same question. Virat's 49th century, Sachin Tendulkar's record of ODI 100, he has equalised, everywhere it was talk of the town, talk of the nation, somewhere Indian team will also know about it, how will you’ll celebrate, is there any special arrangement, will they plan anything?"
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"No, there is nothing like that. But whatever it is, 49 - 50, whatever it is, this joy is falling in the same plate. So, it's good. It's not going anywhere else. So let it be. What else?
The good news is that it is an important tournament and important games and it is happening in India. So whatever record is broken, runs are made, wickets are taken, it is good for us, so let it be, don't cast an evil eye on anyone."
[Reporter:]
"Thinking in place of a captain - if you have a player like you who is bowling 10 overs in every match, 50 runs in every match, batting, and fielding. So how happy would you be?"
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"I would be very happy. And you said I should think like a captain – I have been thinking like the captain since the first match, it’s just that I've never become one.
As an all-rounder – it is our role that if in a tough situation, they have to make 30, 35, 40 runs, and when the partnership is in place, they can change the game by taking one or two wickets. That's their role.
I always try to give an impactful performance in batting or bowling. When the team needs me, in any department. And I never take fielding for granted. I also feel that I can miss a catch. So, I am always more prepared, that if I get a catch, I don't relax on the field.
So, I just keep trying. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. But I keep trying."
[Reporter:]
"When you won the toss, it must have been very easy to bat first, seeing their record.
And second, did you have any idea that the wicket would be a little slow for spinners?"
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"No, after winning toss, we were trying to challenge ourselves. Because if we had bowled in the afternoon, we might not have scored so many runs.
As I said, the ball was stopping a lot, and there was no bounce. And the turn was increasing. It was continuously turning.
So, it was a challenge for us to take first batting and in the second innings if the dew comes, how can we bowl with the dew? Because if such a situation comes in the knockout stage, we should know how to handle that situation. That was the only reason."
[Reporter:]
"You have played with Virat's maximum during these 49 hundreds. You have seen him from the sidelines. So, looking at this pitch, how do you assess this 100? Where do you keep this 100 as a player?"
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"I would say this is special for him as well as tough because the way the wicket was in the afternoon, at one time it felt like 260-270 is also fine and at that time, rotating the strike and taking boundaries I think that must have been very challenging.
So, specially I would say that when the team was not getting a run, both their spinners were bowling well, and at such a time to rotate the strike, to take boundaries, and to get a score of above 300 and be not out - that is a very big achievement and a very big effort for him."
[Reporter:]
"So far you have been unbeaten in the tournament, but before the tournament started, which team were you considering more tough or more competitive in terms of your planning or preparation, team wise, who do you think will face the biggest challenge from this team or from these teams?"
[Ravindra Jadeja:]
"See, in white ball cricket, sometimes due to the factor of dew, the situation becomes completely different. If we would have bowled in the afternoon and if dew would have come at night, then the ball would not have spinned maybe - as the ball was moving so much in the afternoon.
So sometimes in white ball, the main reason for dew is that any normal team also looks big and if there is no dew then everything can go in our favour, no team looks big, it looks like we will defeat them easily.
So, all that factors a lot and in which situation you make your game plan, that also matters."
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