The cricket fraternity has been buzzing with predictions and analysis ahead of the highly-anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) final. Among the voices, Ricky Ponting and Ravi Shastri have made their stances quite clear. Ponting had earlier voiced concerns about Indian players being fatigued after IPL 2023, while Shastri suggested that the absence of Jasprit Bumrah tilted the odds in Australia’s favor. Even cricket legend Wasim Akram threw his support behind the Aussies.
However, on June 5, when Rahul Dravid, the Indian head coach, was queried about this tilt of opinions towards Australia, his response was optimistic and composed. He reiterated that the focus should be on the match itself, not the surrounding chatter.
“Whatever happens, it will happen over the next five days,” Dravid asserted. He dismissed pre-match predictions as irrelevant, emphasizing that the ultimate verdict will be decided on the field. He held steadfast in his belief in both teams’ abilities, acknowledging their strengths.
Rahul Dravid responds as Ravi Shastri and Ricky Ponting picks Australia as the favourites in the World Test Championship final
Dravid also maintained a hopeful outlook for his team. “I have very good hope that if we play good cricket, if we can take 20 wickets and score runs, I have confidence that we can win this,” he declared. In his view, the absence of hype might indeed be beneficial for the team’s performance.
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Responding to queries about the pressure of clinching an ICC trophy, Dravid demonstrated his tactical cool. “We don’t feel any pressure in terms of trying to win an ICC trophy,” he insisted. He admitted that while a win would be appreciated, it was essential to keep in perspective the journey and achievements that had led to the final.
He underscored that the WTC final was the culmination of two years of hard work and a series of successes. He proudly reflected on Team India’s journey, recounting series victories in Australia and fiercely contested series elsewhere.
Dravid further elaborated on the team’s competitive spirit, having performed commendably across the globe over the last 5-6 years. He also indicated that the lack of an ICC trophy didn’t undermine the team’s achievements or potential.
In essence, Dravid showcased an unwavering faith in his team’s abilities, choosing to focus on the game at hand rather than entertaining speculations. His perspective serves as a reminder that expert opinions, while insightful, don’t necessarily dictate the outcome on the field. As the WTC final approaches, it will indeed be the performance over five days that will ultimately decide the champions. For now, all eyes are on the pitch as we brace ourselves for an enthralling face-off.
