India's captain, Rohit Sharma, exuded confidence ahead of the colossal World Cup showdown against arch-rivals Pakistan, set to take place at the grandiose Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
The Indian team, considered the favourites, have already notched up impressive victories in their first two matches of the 50-over spectacle, besting the formidable Australia and Afghanistan. Rohit attributes their success to the momentum they've gained, starting with their triumph in the Asia Cup held in Sri Lanka, followed by a series win against Australia.
Emphasising the importance of rhythm, Rohit stated, "Rhythm is very important. If you look at it in other terms, it is called momentum." He went on to highlight the excellent performances by the Indian bowlers, whether spinners or seamers, and the run-scoring ability of the entire batting lineup.
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Although India holds an unblemished record against Pakistan in World Cup encounters, with seven wins to their name, Rohit downplayed the significance of these statistics. He focused on the task at hand and underscores the importance of playing good cricket by understanding the conditions and meeting the team's requirements.
Despite Pakistan fans still awaiting visas to travel to India, the Narendra Modi Stadium was expected to host a capacity home crowd for this crucial contest. Rohit reiterates the team's focus on facing a quality opposition and maintaining the consistency they've displayed in their last two matches.
Reflecting on India's decisive victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup last month, Rohit dismisses any psychological advantage, emphasising the need to concentrate on the fresh day and the fresh opposition. In his view, both teams will start on an even playing field, with no clear favourite or underdog in sight.
