Current Indian Head Coach has pointed out a few major reasons for the failure of India in the ICC World Cup 2019.
One of the main reason is Team India was badly lacking in the middle-order. India was the favorite to lift the cup but Unfortunately, they are out of the tournament after the loss in the first semi-final against New Zealand by 18 runs on 10th June.
Team India and Indian Cricket fans had their worst nightmare on Wednesday. Indian batting unit very much relied on the top order batsman Rohit Sharma and the skipper Virat Kohli. This was one of the reasons for the worst collapse of the team.
Head Coach Ravi Shastri stated that.
”In hindsight, yes, we did need a solid batsman out there in the middle order. But now, that’s something for the future. That’s a position that was always giving us problems, but we just couldn’t nail it. (K L) Rahul was there but then Shikhar Dhawan got injured. Then Vijay Shankar was there, and he got injured. We just couldn’t control it,” Shastri told Indian Express, accepting that the No.4 spot became one of the decisive factors behind India’s World Cup exit.
“India tried three different batsmen at that crucial position during the course of the tournament. KL Rahul started the tournament but he had to shift to the opening position after Shikhar Dhawan got injured. Vijay Shankar was then slotted in to bat at No. 4. His modest returns and an injury, later on, prompted India to use Rishabh Pant, who was making his World Cup debut. But none of them grabbed the spot by playing a noteworthy inning.”
Shastri responded on the allowing Mayank in place Rahul in the top and pushing Rahul to No.4 Spot. ” they would have done the same if there was another game in hand.”
“Not really, because it got too tight. By the time Mayank came to join us, there wasn’t much time. If there was one more game, that is, if this semi-final was a game later, we would have definitely done it. He flew in, and Rahul had just hit a 60, and then a hundred.”
“If it wasn’t for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and a hundred each by Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul, India might have found themselves in the same situation against New Zealand, a lot earlier.”
He stated that he is not disappointed with the team’s performance. Ravi Shastri has got a 45 Day’s extension for the tour of West Indies.
“Walk out with your heads held high. Be proud. Those 30 minutes can’t erase the fact that you guys have been the best team in the last couple of years. You guys know it. One tournament, one series — and that, too, 30 minutes of play can’t decide that. You guys have earned that respect. Of course, we are all hurt and disappointed but, in the end, be proud of what you have done for the last two years,” – Ravi Shastri.
