As the cricket world anticipates the ICC World Cup 2023, former India captain Sourav Ganguly has shared pragmatic advice for Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, urging them not to become fixated on the ultimate victory but to focus on each step of the journey. With the tournament set to unfold on Indian soil, the weight of expectations rests heavily on the captain and head coach.
Replacing Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli as the head coach and captain respectively, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid shouldered immense expectations when they took on their roles a couple of years ago. However, the quest for ICC titles remained elusive under their stewardship, much like the previous regime’s tenure. While India excelled in bilateral series, triumphs in ICC events like the 2019 World Cup, the World Test Championship final, and the T20 World Cup in 2021 proved elusive.
With the ODI World Cup on the horizon, the anticipation is palpable, and Ganguly was recently asked about India’s struggles in the finals. In response, the former captain imparted a strategic perspective, advising the leadership duo to shift their focus from the final outcome to the incremental journey leading up to it.
Ganguly’s wisdom extended a parallel to batting, urging Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid to concentrate on laying a solid foundation before targeting the final milestone.
Also Read: Ganguly’s Key Advice for India’s ODI World Cup Success: Stability over Last-Minute Changes
“You won’t win all finals. But then you need to make it to the final first. So you need to break things down. First, you need to play well and win the majority of the nine games to be able to make the final,” shared Sourav Ganguly with RevSportz.
Drawing an analogy to the art of batting, he highlighted the importance of gradual progression: “Don’t think about the final at the start of the tournament. It is much like batting. When you go into bat don’t think of the 100. Get to 50, 60, 70 and then when you get to 90 that’s when you think of the 100. For the World Cup, it is the same. First, play well and get to the final. Once you are there that’s when you plan for the final and try and win it.”
Currently competing in the ongoing Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, Team India is set to commence their journey on September 2nd against arch-rivals Pakistan. The ICC World Cup is slated to begin on October 5, setting the stage for a season of intense cricketing action.