India needs to find a way to handle pressure in the knockout stages: Mohammad Hafeez

Over the years, the Indian cricket group’s struggles within the knockout phases of an ICC event has been a reason behind concern for the group administration. Ever since clinching the Champions Trophy in 2013, the Men in Blue have didn’t recover from the road within the knockouts, regardless of constant performances within the group phases.

As one other version of the ODI World Cup beckons, this time at residence, the Indian group hopes to show the tide and break the title jinx. But earlier than that, Rohit Sharma’s males will likely be put to the check within the Asia Cup, which begins on Wednesday.

With Okay.L. Rahul unavailable for ‘at least’ the primary two fixtures of the Asian event, there are considerations, however the group administration is optimistic about getting the home so as earlier than the ball will get rolling in Sri Lanka. However, former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez believes that India must discover a strategy to deal with strain within the knockout phases.

“India is a very good team, but they are not the best yet. We have seen in the recent past that they could not handle the pressure of knockout stages in the ICC events and a few other big-ticket events. Bilaterally, they are doing well, but I think India needs to find a way to handle the pressure in the knockout stages as a team. They are very good, but they are not a complete team yet,” Hafeez informed Sportstar in an unique interplay.

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The former Pakistan all-rounder, who not too long ago featured within the U.S. Masters T10 League for the title-winning Texas Chargers and in addition emerged because the Player of the Tournament, nonetheless, hopes that with the return of Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian group will have the ability to flip issues round.

“With Bumrah coming in, let’s see what kind of impact he has on the whole tournament. We have to obviously monitor his fitness, but if Bumrah remains lethal, obviously India can turn things around. But then again, India hasn’t done well lately in the knockouts of ICC events and they need to work on that,” he pressured.

Think Tank: India captain Rohit Sharma together with coach Rahul Dravid, quick bowler Jasprit Bumrah and batting coach Vikram Rathour throughout a coaching session. (File Photo)
| Photo Credit:
Murali Kumar Okay | The Hindu

-On India-Pakistan rivalry-

Having performed worldwide cricket for practically 20 years, Hafeez understands a factor or two in regards to the India versus Pakistan rivalry on the sector, and because the two groups gear up for one more Asia Cup assembly on Saturday, Hafeez believes that whoever can deal with the psychological points nicely could have the sting.

“The biggest ingredient to deal with these matches is basically your mental strength because it’s basically your mental state that helps you a lot to do well in these high-voltage India vs Pakistan games,” Hafeez mentioned, making it clear that now with social media enjoying a key function, the gamers are all the time beneath scrutiny and that mounts up the strain.

“With so much social media presence, it has added a lot of pressure on the players. The hype of the tournament goes sky-high and even before the tournament, the players have to deal with a lot of pressure due to social media engagements. The expectations of the people from both the countries have gone too high and none of the fans want their team to be on the losing side,” Hafeez mentioned.

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“Even though it’s a game of cricket, mental toughness plays a major role in executing your skills in an India vs Pakistan encounter. Players are getting mentally tougher, but my experience is that when you play against India, you need to control your emotions and be wary of distractions. Mental health is very important for such a key game.”

And, having featured in a number of high-voltage clashes in his profession, Hafeez has a chunk of recommendation for each groups. “Once you take care of your mind and handle the distractions and stop doubting yourself, you can execute your skills well. Players from both teams know that you have to handle several other things apart from just skills. Whoever controls the emotions and handles the mental condition better can turn things around. In the last few games, I have seen quite a few good performances from different players, but I must say that mental health is the key.”

Thunder Down Under: Virat Kohli explodes in a bundle of feelings after enjoying an impressive knock to information India residence throughout the 2022 T20 World Cup match towards Pakistan in Melbourne.
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Getty Images

-Hafeez’s World Cup semifinalists-

The ODI World Cup will likely be performed within the sub-continent after 12 years, and Hafeez expects India and Pakistan to fare nicely within the event, although England and Australia will pose powerful challenges. “I wish all the best to India and I really want them to organise the tournament in such a manner that it becomes memorable for the Asian countries. I really want India and Pakistan to do well in this competition because these conditions suit them better than any other teams. I really wish that this World Cup remains in Asia,” Hafeez mentioned.

“England is a good team and I like how their approach and intent has changed, but I really want India and Pakistan to do well. My four teams – according to conditions and intent – will be: India, Pakistan, England and Australia. At least three of them should make it to the semifinals,” he added.

While he admits that the World Cup opens up a window of alternatives for a number of kids, Hafeez expects kids Shubman Gill and Shaheen Afridi to take advantage of the ‘favourable conditions’.

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“Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman should do well in Indian conditions. Their technique and their aggression in cricket is good. India has Shubman Gill and I want to see him bat well in the Indian conditions. He’s had tough times abroad, but playing in India, Gill – along with Virat Kohli – will make an impact,” added the seasoned campaigner, who introduced his retirement from worldwide cricket in 2022.

“In bowling, I want Shaheen to do really well with the new ball in India. Harris Sohail, too, can bring in a lot for the Pakistan team because he has the pace and confidence. There are a lot of talents around, but I want these guys to do well.”

India and Pakistan haven’t featured in a bilateral sequence since 2012 and solely meet throughout ICC occasions and the Asia Cup as a consequence of political stress and safety points. Though probabilities of a bilateral sequence look like a distant dream, Hafeez hopes to see India and Pakistan engaged in a Test sequence, sometime.

“We play ODIs and T20Is in ICC events, but I am a fan of having more India versus Pakistan bilateral Test series because that can beat all other ratings of the world. I am missing that as a fan of cricket and wish India and Pakistan play each other more often as that will boost this beautiful game,” he mentioned.

“I feel sorry that Pakistan-India fixtures are not regular. For me, the biggest event that the fans of cricket want to watch is the India versus Pakistan game. And we’re missing the opportunity to spread this game globally because bilaterally Pakistan-India is not playing cricket. And I’m just expecting that someone will understand and see how we can work together, how we can give an opportunity to fans to have more bilateral series between the two teams,” he added.

India hasn’t travelled to Pakistan since 2007-08 as a consequence of safety causes, and its refusal to journey to the neighbouring nation prompted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to suggest a ‘hybrid’ mannequin for this version of the Asia Cup.

While Multan and Lahore will host 4 video games, the key a part of the Asia Cup will likely be performed in Sri Lanka, with Pallekele and Colombo because the venues.