'In Knock-Outs, India Will...' - Misbah-Ul-Haq Picks Problem In The Dream Run
India have won 8 on 8 in WC 2023 (AP Photo)
Even as India retained their dominating ways and emboldened status as massive ICC World Cup 2023 favourites on Sunday (November 5) at the Eden Gardens against South Africa, former Pakistan skipper Misbah-Ul-Haq gave other teams an "outside chance" to upset the mighty tournament hosts.
An experienced past cricketer with a successful body of work leading Pakistan in an elongated tenure, Misbah pressed home how team psychology tends to work and said the closer Team India heads to the knock-outs, the higher the wave of expectations and the pressure Rohit Sharma's men will be dealing with.
Speaking on Pakistan-based 'A Sports', Misbah said the pressure of a semifinal and the final will be an entirely different prospect and it remains to be seen if the peaking and star-studded India side can handle that towards regaining the ultimate crown.
Misbah's interesting take on India's devastating run
"One thing is confirmed. Yes this is the group stage, fine, but when they go into the knockout stage, the more a team keeps playing well and becomes the favourite, more is the pressure," Misbah said. "And once a team puts them under pressure in 1-2 overs, they will have a lot to lose. There is still an outside chance for other teams."
The ex cricketer was quickly interrupted by his former Pakistan teammate Shoaib Malik, who said, "I see Australia, who will give them a tough time," something Misbah agreed with. While Aussies are still one win short of cementing a semifinals berth, the five-time world champions have the tendency to peak at the business end of an ICC event and could be a huge threat to Men in Blue.
Misbah highlighted an indirect effect of India's devastating 8-0 run on oppositions' thought process and morale, stating teams have tended to melt feeling intimidated well before even entering the field against this Indian side and called for greater mental fortitude for them to tackle the toughest match-up.
"I feel you need to get out of the situation mentally first. They have already won 50 per cent of the battle by putting every other team under pressure by playing so well in the tournament so far. So to win, teams have to believe that they can overcome this mentally and beat India," Misbah added.
 "Kashish Chadha")
