The Men in Blue have qualified for the semi-finals with victories against Bangladesh and Pakistan. This marks a significant improvement from the last time an ICC event was held in the UAE, when India had lost their opening two fixtures against Pakistan and New Zealand, crashing out in the group stages.
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“Those are things that did affect us back then. And it wasn’t a pleasant time for us players to not be in the semifinals (in 2021) or do well in the competitions. I think we’ve learned from that. In the last two or three ICC events, we’ve done really well, we’ve performed really well,” Rahul said during a media interaction.
“We’re not thinking about what happened in the past or the good things or the bad things. Just what was important was to stay in the present. I get the sense within the team that everyone’s quite relaxed and quite balanced.
“And everyone’s only thinking and talking about the game that is in front of us and not about winning in the semifinals. We are just taking it one step at a time.”
Pacer Arshdeep Singh, keeper-batter Rishabh Pant, spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Washington Sundar have not yet got a game.
The four benched players, i.e. Arshdeep Singh, Rishabh Pant, Varun Chakravarthy, and Washington Sundar have not played a game yet thus far. Will they be getting a look-in before the side heads on to play the semi-finals?
“I’m not in the leadership group to have to make that decision. But I’m sure there will be some temptation. I’ve been in these positions before where there’s an opportunity where you can try out the players who have important games and do get a game. But I don’t know if that will happen in a Championship Trophy,” Rahul remarked.
