India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, expressed his team’s excitement and readiness as they gear up for the super eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
With the initial group stage behind them, the team is now focused on the Super Eight phase, where they aim to continue their winning streak.
India’s journey to the Super Eight stage was marked by impressive performances. They began with a commanding win over Ireland, setting a positive tone for their campaign.
This was followed by intense and competitive matches against Pakistan and the USA, both of which saw India emerge victorious. Despite challenging conditions, the team showcased resilience and skill, securing their position at the top of Group A. A rain-affected match against Canada further ensured India’s unchallenged progression to the next stage.
In the Super Eight stage, India is slated to compete in Group 1 alongside formidable opponents such as Australia, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. The Men in Blue are determined to maintain their unbeaten run and make a significant impact.
“There’s real keenness in the group to go and do something special. That’s a good way to start the second stage of the tournament,” Rohit Sharma shared with BCCI during a training session ahead of the Super Eight phase.
Rohit also spoke about the challenges of the upcoming schedule, which includes three games in the span of five days. Despite this, he expressed confidence in the team’s ability to handle the demands.
“It clearly shows that everybody wants to make a difference and we take our skill sessions quite seriously. There’s something to achieve in every session. After our first game, we’ll play our next two games in a span of three-four days,” he noted.
“It’s going to be a little hectic but we’re used to this. We travel a lot, we play a lot. So that’s never going to be an excuse.
“We’ll focus on our skills and what we need to do as a team rather than what others are doing. Every practice session becomes really important to make the best use of it.”
India’s group stage matches took place in the USA, while some of their competitors, like Afghanistan and Australia, played in the West Indies. However, this difference in venues does not concern Rohit, who remains confident in his team’s adaptability and preparation.
“We’ve seen a lot of games here, we’ve played a lot of games here. Everyone understands what needs to be done to get the result in our favour,” he said.
“Everyone’s looking forward and quite excited at the same time.”
India will kick off their Super Eight campaign against Afghanistan on June 20 in Barbados. The team is enthusiastic and ready to showcase their talent on this crucial stage of the tournament.