Ravi Shastri and Ricky Ponting's 'Word's Of Wisdom' For Team India Ahead Of Semi-Finals
India have been undefeated in World Cup 2023 [X.com]
No other team in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has looked as dominant and focused as India.
Led by Rohit Sharma, India cruised through the group stage and qualified as the first semifinalists by winning all its nine matches and topping the table.
Sharma and Co. will face a familiar foe in New Zealand in the semi-finals today at Mumbai, who have presented India with the most challenge in several ICC tournaments, ranging from World Cups and Champions Trophy to the World Test Championship.
Ahead of the all-important semi-finals clash, two former World Cup winners, India's Ravi Shastri, and Australia's Ricky Ponting have spoken about India's stellar run in the competition.
As shared in a video by ICC, both players suggested the way forward for India, while Shastri suggested players to play in the moment, Ponting urged Team India to peak in the final.
Here's what Shastri said
" I think believe in yourself, and believe in the way, you're playing at the moment. Not to forget you're playing at home, so cut all the stuff that's happened on the way. Only remember, the last time you played at home, you won the World Cup. As simple as that. So what's happened in between to hell with that, play to win."
Here's what Ponting said
"The question was asked to both of us if we were worried that India were peaking too soon. And the answer that we both gave was no, who says that this is them peaking? who says that they can't get better? If I was around the current Indian team. Now, all I'd be saying to those guys was let's try and find a way to make sure we actually peak in the final of this tournament. Now we are nowhere peaking yet.
If every individual can find 5 percent in their game, then obviously., with 11 players in your team, so the performance goes through the roof. That's what I would be saying to the Indian team at the moment."
Watch Video Here
India did defeat New Zealand in the group stage but are yet to notch a win in an ICC knockout match against the BlackCaps.
 "Vishal Mehra")
