Recalling the performance of the Indian cricket team in the recent ICC T20 World Cup, former coach Ravi Shastri has said that the team was 'very timid' while playing New Zealand and it reflected in the game. He made these remarks while speaking at the 'Bold & Brave: The Ravi Shastri Way' show on Star Sports.
According to Shastri India played well against Pakistan even though India was drubbed by 10 wickets against Pakistan in ICC T20 World Cup. However, he feels the game against New Zealand was where things really went downhill. The timid performance of India against New Zealand was what led to the team's hurtful exit from the World Cup. India lost to New Zealand by 8 wickets and New Zealand, in turn, proceeded towards the finals.
"Pakistan played well on that day, and against New Zealand, we were timid. We were very timid. It showed in the game. We were tentative instead of going for the jugular. You never mind losing as long as you're throwing punches. But if you're timid and tentative then it hurts more. And in a tournament like this if you lose too early then you're in trouble," Shastri said.
Shashtri further said that the format of the tournament was such that it had reduced the room for error. Talking about the format, the former coach said: "It's not like the format in 2019, where you can play every opposition. I think that is the way to go forward. That format is the best, and then have the Playoffs ideally, if you want to decide the World Cup."
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For the first time in 8 years of the ICC tournaments, India was out of the chart of finalists even before the knockouts at the ICC T20 World Cup this year. The back-to-back loss from Pakistan and New Zealand had pushed the Indian cricket team to a low spot on the charts and the wins against Afghanistan, Scotland and Namibia later were just a mere consolation.
