Video Discription |
VIDEO COURTESY: ICC
Rahul Dravid (India Coach) pre-match Press Conference - 28th June 2024
[Reporter:]
Rahul, on this pitch, the batting of Sky and Rohit, you think that was exceptionally stood out and your thoughts on the pitch also?
[Rahul Dravid:]
Yeah, I mean, I thought it was an exceptional score for us to get to 171. There were some discussions in the group once the game started that about 150, we felt was a good fighting score and would be probably par. But just I thought the way Rohit and Surya just battled through that phase in the middle, showed exceptional skill, great ability, also understanding and reading of a situation, recognizing which bowlers to target, so we targeted the right bowlers. We knew the spin was going to be difficult but then taking down the pacers was really well done. I thought nice little cameos as well from Hardik, Jadeja, Axar really got us to that extra with what we felt was an extra 20 runs. So, yeah, it was, , it was obviously a challenging wicket, but yeah, it was, I thought, it was certainly not a 103 wicket, it was a 150 kind of wicket.
[Reporter:]
Within a year, the Indian team has reached the WTC final, One day WC final and the T20 WC final. What is the reason for this? Do you think you will win the final?
[Rahul Dravid:]
Yes of course - I think it's good that we are consistent and playing good cricket. For many years, especially in the last year, like you said, being number one in all three formats, playing in the finals, is a good thing. It gives a lot of credit to the boys, a lot of boys who are Test cricketers, who are our one-day players and also our T20 players. So, the Indian cricket has shown a lot of consistency and it is a very happy thing. And what you asked later, that if we play well and if we have the rub of the green, then we will win.
[Reporter:]
Coach, if you can throw light on the mental preparation ahead of the final. Obviously, the team has all bases covered, it's unbeaten like it was in the last World Cup at home. And the finals are down to, I mean, a lot mentally you've got to be stronger. So, would you be focusing on that aspect of the game?
[Rahul Dravid:]
Look I think in terms of just our preparation we've got a flight later tonight probably get back late into Barbados we've just got one day in the middle so it's unlikely we're going to be having a practice. It's just about all the guys getting into ensuring that physically, mentally, tactically we are ready for the game. Those are the things that we can control - that we are fresh, that we have looked after all our niggles if there are any, we have done all our tactical preparation and they are mentally relaxed and excited and looking forward to the game. Those are the things we can control and we will be looking to do that in the next 24 hours and try and get ourselves in the right frame of mind to be able to play that game in 36 hours’ time or 48 hours’ time.
[Reporter:]
Any lessons from the previous finals that you have played?
[Rahul Dravid:]
Nothing, I thought we were very well prepared in that final as well. I thought we were very well prepared in Ahmedabad [ODI World Cup final 2023]. We've done all the things, we've ticked all the boxes and, on the day, the other team played better and that's part of the sport. The other team that is coming there to play has also obviously reached the final, because they're a good team and they're playing very good cricket as well. So, they have as much right to win it as we do. But we hope that we will play better cricket on the day.
[Reporter:]
Playing final for India is not new, but South Africa after they started in 1991, for the first time playing final. Do you really see that that plays on the players mind or the teams mind when they are into this final now finally? Do you think that that's a little advantage to us that we are used to finals and they are new or first time there?
[Rahul Dravid:]
Not really, I mean It's not that the same players have been playing since 1991. Many players have come and gone. I don't think that really matters. I can't speak for any of them. I don't think players go in keeping the baggage of the past and what has happened in the past. So, every day is a fresh day. Players are very good at moving on from things, of recognizing things. So yes, I think just as we will move on from Ahmedabad, I'm sure they will not be thinking about history and it will be a fresh day. Two good teams, two teams I think that everyone will agree that probably the top two teams in this tournament played the best cricket I think in this tournament, both South Africa and India.
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