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'Good To Lose One Game' - When MS Dhoni Revealed His Masterplan After Loss In 2011 WC

image-lo1ak3xmRavi Shastri having a conversation with MS Dhoni. (Xtra Time)

Former India head coach of the Indian team Ravi Shastri suggests that India could tolerate losing the match against New Zealand at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on October 22.

Shastri elaborates on his point by recalling the wisdom of MS Dhoni, the captain of the 2011 World Cup-winning team, who once stated a preference for losing a game in the league stage rather than succumbing to the pressure in the semifinals or finals. He highlights the 2011 World Cup, where India lost only one group-stage game to South Africa in Nagpur but went on to claim the trophy.

"In 2011, India lost just one game, a league match against South Africa, but they went on to win the World Cup. I remember MS Dhoni, when he was the captain, saying that sometimes in the World Cup's league format, it's good to lose one game. You don't want to be suddenly caught in a semifinal or final where the pressure gets to you,"  Ravi Shastri said on Star Sports.

Shastri made this remark ahead of the start of the India versus New Zealand game.

During the 2011 World Cup, India suffered just one defeat, which was against South Africa. The match against England in Bengaluru concluded in a tie. Other than these two instances, they emerged victorious in all their matches and eventually clinched the championship.

Although New Zealand and India both have eight points, New Zealand holds the upper hand due to a superior net run rate. India faces challenging odds, as they haven't won an ODI World Cup match against New Zealand in the past two decades. 

However, India's current form and the advantage of playing in their home conditions position them as slight favorites to win the match.

India has had an impressive tournament so far, with their victories attributed not only to their strong batting but also to their bowling prowess. The bowlers have collectively taken 36 wickets in the four games, significantly contributing to the team's success. 

Notably, in each of these games, the bowlers have played a pivotal role by containing the opposition to modest totals, allowing India to chase them down comfortably.