Follow UsComing into the World Cup, India never really had their full-strength squad at their disposal, but things fell into place during the World Cup. Even though they went on to lose Hardik Pandya in the first half of the World Cup, which created a delicate situation as far as team combination is concerned, Mohammed Shami came back with an even stronger answer.
One of the fulcrums of India’s success was Rohit Sharma, who has been able to provide a solid start at the top of the order and, more importantly, led from the front with the style he so often talks about. The entire Indian team bought into that idea and it reaped dividends with the most dominating World Cup runs ever.
“Rohit has certainly been a leader, you know, without a doubt,” Rahul Dravid said in the press conference ahead of the Netherlands encounter in Bengaluru. “I think he's led by example both on and off the field. Some of the starts that he's given us, the way he's cracked open games for us.
“A lot of times, people have looked at one; I mean, I can't go into the specific games, I'm sure that you will be able to look into it, but there have been some games where it could have been tricky for us, but the fact that he's been able to get us to those kinds of starts has literally cracked open the game.
“So, in the end, it's actually looked easy, but on reflection as a coaching staff, when we looked at it, we've realized the impact that meetings like that of his innings have had on games like that, that have made it look easy for us and certainly made it easier for the guys who followed in that department.
“I think he's been fantastic, which is his batting, the leadership he's shown and taking on the game, in leading from the front. We've talked about playing in a particular way. You cannot do that unless your leader really buys in and actually shows by example. And it's been terrific to see the way Rohit's done that.
“And I think his captaincy has obviously been fantastic as well. It's been very good for a long time. He's someone who's certainly got the respect of the group and the team. Certainly, got the respect of our coaching staff. And it's been a pleasure to see him operate the way he has, both on and off the field, like I said. And I think he's truly someone who's, you know, deserves all the success that he's been getting. And hopefully, it may continue.
In the first half of the World Cup, India batted second and that gave a perception that India’s batting first problem may come back to bite them at some point. However, the side busted that logic with even more dominating bowling performances under the lights. Dravid is very impressed by the way India have progressed in the ongoing World Cup.
“We've done both things. To be honest with you, we bowled first. We batted first in this tournament. I think that's been the really good thing for us in eight games. I think in the first four or five, I think we batted first and then we had to chase in the last three. So, we've actually done both things and we're pretty comfortable with both things. So, I'm not too worried about it.
“Toss is not in our hands; it’s not going to be in our hands in the semi-finals. And I think we are comfortable both ways. We will just make it. We will have a look at the wicket today and come tomorrow and have a look at the wicket as well. And then, you know, whatever call Rohit makes, we will go with it,” Dravid added.
Even though Shreyas Iyer couldn’t do much in the initial half, he has made a solid comeback this time, scoring 293 runs at an average of 48.83 with three half-centuries. That has assured Team India a great deal and Dravid couldn’t have been happier.
“He brings temperament. I think one of the things Shreyas has shown us is right from the time that I have seen him as sort of an India A, he came and played India A when I was coaching those days. And I think one of the things that's really stood out about me is his temperament, the way he handles success, failure.
“You just look at even some of his knocks under pressure, how he's able to actually bring the best out of himself under those pressure situations. So, it's about, you can go on about, everyone will have areas that they need to work on and need to improve, it's not - someone might have some other area, there's no complete batsman who can say that I can, I know everything or I'm very good at everything?
“I mean, it's, you know, you always going to need areas to improve. But in the end of the day, you have to be judged by the results you produce. And the runs you score and when you score them. And I think with Shreyas, one of the things that does stand out. Look at some of his Test innings, look at how he started his Test debut. Look at some of the critical knocks he's played for us.
“Even in the two years that I've been here, I mean, Bangladesh, you know that game, under extreme pressure, who's the guy who stands up? Ash and Shreyas, guys like that who have an incredible temperament, incredible strength of mind, and I think that's, that’s what has held him in really good stead. He's terrific temperamentally. So, when someone like him does well, you know he's going to make big contributions. It may not always work out, but when it does, you know someone like him is going to make a big play,” the former Indian No.3 added.