India captain Rohit Sharma previews their ICC T20 Cricket World Cup semi-final with England. India are yet to lose a game in the tournament.
Providence Stadium, Guyana, West Indies
Providence Stadium, Guyana, West Indies
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00:00This moment is all that I've been dreaming of
00:19Some way I feel it in my soul
00:24One chance is everything we've waited for
00:28It's our time, so let we take it home
00:31Knock it out of this world
00:35Out of this world we be going
00:39Out of this world, yeah
00:44Out of this world we be going
00:49So come on, let we take it home
00:51So come on, let we take it home
01:21Hello everyone, the captain of the Indian cricket team is here to attend the pre-match press conference
01:25Kindly raise hand and wait for your turn
01:27We have limited amount of time, so I request everyone's cooperation here
01:32Yes, Mr. Tagore
01:34Wait, wait, wait, wait, mic
01:37Rohit, all the best for the semi-final
01:39Thanks
01:40In the pre-match, pre-departure press conference
01:44You had spoken about the four spinners and the confidentiality behind it
01:49Is it now the time to reveal the trump card?
01:54You had spoken about the four spinners
01:57Team brings five spinners, so we don't play five spinners
02:00But you had said there is a secret behind it
02:02There is no secret, we have played three spinners
02:06In New York we were playing two spinners, here we are playing three spinners
02:10So it felt necessary to play four spinners, so we will play
02:14But we will see, we will assess
02:17Till now we haven't seen the pitch properly, it was covered for a long time
02:21Now it is being rolled
02:47Not a lot has changed, because whenever you approach an international game
02:54And this being ICC T20 World Cup
02:59We have tried to play with very free mind in the last two or three years
03:06That we have played T20 cricket and even the ODI cricket as well
03:12So not a lot has changed as such
03:16It all depends on basically what the condition has to offer
03:21We saw throughout this tournament the conditions had its own challenges
03:26New York was completely different
03:29And now we have come here in West Indies, it's been totally different
03:34And we want to do that, we want to be a smart cricket team
03:37We want to assess and play, like when we played the last game
03:41And even before that as well, the moment we realise it's a good pitch
03:46We want to play the way we play
03:48And that is up for all you guys to see how we want to play
03:53And I have tried and kept things very simple for myself personally as well
03:58And also for the team, because there is lot of cricket being played in that group
04:04These guys have played a lot of cricket, lot of high pressure games as well
04:07So there is not much that you need to discuss as such
04:11You got to try and give them the role clarity
04:15Which I think we have done pretty well, very clearly as well
04:19And then obviously we want to rely on them making good decisions on the field
04:25You don't want to keep talking to them about
04:29You got to do things differently and all of that
04:32Of course you have to have an open mind when you want to do things
04:35But as much as the team is concerned and I am concerned
04:42I think our priority was to keep things very simple
04:46And give them the freedom that you all want playing this format
04:50And everyone knows in the squad that they have to get the job done
04:55But the job getting done has to be done considering various factors
05:01And I thought throughout this tournament we have done that extremely well
05:06So I don't think we need to change what we did in 2022 to 2024 now
05:16Obviously everyone understands what they need to do
05:19And we back them to make those decisions on the field
05:22And rely on what they feel at that particular moment what they want to do
05:28Rohit, sometimes when a game gets curtailed
05:33The difference between the teams comes down a bit
05:36It becomes a bit of a shootout
05:37So if it rains and there is a bit of a rain threat tomorrow
05:40So does that bother you in any way that it can become slightly difficult
05:45If it rains and it becomes a shorter game and how do you plan to go about it?
05:51Look, I think we want to come here thinking that it is going to be a 40 over game
05:59We don't want to think it is going to be a shortened game
06:03But if it does, we will change whatever we need to change
06:08In terms of strategy, combinations or whatever it is
06:12Whatever we think is possibly the best chance for us to win the game
06:18So we will be prepared for all kinds of scenarios
06:21It has happened before as well
06:25In the last T20 World Cup, there was a shortened game as well against Bangladesh
06:31So all those things happen and we will come tomorrow here and see what the scenario is
06:38But ideally for everyone, it will be nice to have a 40 over game
06:42But again, we will be ready to adapt to whatever is there in front of us
06:48Captain, all the best for the game
06:50A lot of former players have spoken about the fear of failure factor in the Indian team
06:57Is there actually a fear of failure or is it just that in the semifinals and finals, we have been unlucky?
07:07It is a bit of both
07:09We want to treat this game as another game that we have played in this tournament
07:21We don't want to think about what lies ahead and what is the context of the game
07:27Everyone knows in the back of their mind it is a semifinal
07:32But you don't want to keep talking about it again and again
07:35And not to think about what has happened in the past
07:39The entire group is in a good frame of mind
07:43We are playing well as a team, enjoying each other's company
07:47Enjoying each other's success at times as well
07:52I think it is important to just carry on from what we have been doing in this tournament
07:59Yes, we have been put under pressure in certain games during this tournament as well
08:04But I thought we responded pretty well
08:06That is probably because we are not thinking too far ahead
08:09And again tomorrow for us, thinking too far ahead, which is the finals
08:14We don't want to think about all of that
08:16It is a knockout game, we want to think about how well we can play
08:20And what we can do as a team for us to achieve the result that we are looking for
08:25Sometimes if you think too much, then you will not be able to make the decisions that you want to make on the field
08:33So I think it is important that we stay clear in our mind what we want to do
08:37We have had enough conversations with the players, what is expected out of each one of us
08:44So it is time now to just rely on the individual instinct and then take the game forward
08:53GS, Vivek and Matrola
08:57Rohit, it is very unlikely that someone like Virat hasn't got the big runs which he usually gets
09:03But every time he has got out, he has just tried to push the needle in the power plays
09:08Someone like Rishabh Pant has got out twice trying to play the reverse sweep
09:11Is there a particular template as a team management you want them to keep playing
09:15Which may be against the grain, but you want them to keep playing and keep putting the foot on the accelerator
09:21So that no matter how many wickets you lose even in the power play
09:24Everybody will go and try and press the accelerator
09:26Despite the number of wickets which has been fallen in the power play
09:28Rather than trying to use the safety first net
09:31No, see again it all depends on the conditions that are there in front of us
09:38I know it sounds very boring for me to talk about conditions, conditions
09:41Because that do matter a lot
09:43Because in New York we saw what the winning score was
09:48There for us to think that we will go and do this and that
09:52It is not sensible
09:54So we want to be a smart cricket team
09:58We don't want to just talk in one language which is to just go and swing the bat
10:03I think it is important for us to understand what is in front of us
10:08What to do at that time
10:10I have spoken about experience in this group
10:14And we rely on that experience from each player
10:17To go out and make that decision
10:20Whether it is playing the reverse sweep
10:22Whether it is bowling a yorker
10:24Whether it is bowling a bouncer
10:25We rely on those individuals to make that decision
10:28As a captain, coach
10:31You know once the game is started
10:34There is hardly you need to talk about what you need to do
10:37Yes certain aspect of the game you can discuss
10:40But not a whole lot where you are sitting there and planning and stuff like that
10:45Because obviously the rules are there
10:47It is quite strict
10:49There is a possibility if you get 3 warnings you will lose 5 runs
10:53And the 5 fielders rule as well
10:57Which is if you are overshot
10:59One more extra fielder comes inside
11:01All of that is there
11:03So you don't need to discuss too much when the game is on
11:07We discuss a lot of stuff outside of it
11:09Today we had a training session
11:11We are discussing, we are talking to the players
11:12What is expected out of them
11:14But again like you said
11:16It is all about feeling good when you are batting
11:21I felt good last game
11:23I was taking on my chances
11:25So that is how it works
11:27It worked for me last game
11:29It might work for someone else in this game
11:31So that is how it works
11:33You have to understand that
11:35And that is where I keep saying that
11:37We rely on players to make those decisions
11:39Whether reverse sweep is a good option
11:41Whether coming down the track and hitting straight is a good option
11:44So all of that put together
11:46We rely on our 8 batters to make those decisions on the field
11:50And same goes with the bowlers as well
11:53We have got good 6 quality bowlers
11:57Shivam Dubey is the 7th one
11:59Who hasn't bowled yet but
12:01He is a good bowler
12:03He has played a lot of first class cricket
12:05Taken a lot of wickets
12:08So yeah we have got good quality
12:10Amongst our group
12:12And I personally want to rely on that quality
12:15And their sharp brain
12:18To make those decisions
12:24Hi Rohit
12:25Do you think it has been an advantage to India
12:27That they have always known that if they reach the semifinals
12:29It would be here in Guyana
12:31And also what do you make of the fact that there is no reserve day
12:33For this semifinal in the event it does rain tomorrow
12:37I don't think it is an advantage
12:40I mean a lot of these players have played
12:42In different types of venues
12:44I am sure a lot of these English cricketers have played in this venue
12:47So I don't see this as an advantage
12:49At the end of the day you have got to play good cricket
12:51To win a cricket game
12:53That's how I look at it
12:55And obviously look
12:57The overhead conditions is in nobody's control
13:00We don't know what is going to happen
13:04The only thing I am worried is
13:05If the game goes on till pretty late
13:07We have a charter flight
13:09We might miss that flight
13:11But that's ok
13:12It's the ICC and cricket West Indies headache
13:15To get us to the next venue
13:17But we will focus on how we can play this game well
13:20And get the results in our favour
13:22That's what we will be focusing on
13:24But yeah at the end of the day
13:26Two good cricket teams are going to play
13:28So it's going to be a great game
13:30Captain there is a request for a question from your colleague there
13:34Of course
13:38So I mean
13:40Being one of the best captains that has led the Indian side
13:44What makes Rohit Sharma's dressing room different
13:47To all the previous captains
13:49And from the outside it looks
13:51Very nice, calm, relaxed
13:53So what is your mantra of keeping the dressing room like that?
14:00See I think
14:02It's important to stay cool, calm
14:05You know when you are in this environment
14:08I feel
14:09And see something
14:11You know that has worked for me over the years
14:14Staying calm and
14:18Staying composed
14:19Because I know that I have to make decisions on the field
14:22So for me
14:23It has worked in the past
14:24Where I have stayed calm and composed
14:27But yeah like sometimes you can lose your cool as well
14:30At the end of the day
14:32I am a human being as well
14:34And if I see something that we have spoken of
14:37And that is not happening
14:39Sometimes you can lose your cool as well
14:41But that is completely alright
14:42You know I have had chats with everyone
14:45That I am happy
14:47To let you do what you want
14:49But at the end of the day if I see
14:52It's at the cost of
14:54Something big
14:56I cannot let that happen
14:57And I have to intervene and talk about it
14:59So I am prepared to do all of that
15:02But yeah it's important
15:04Indian cricket team goes through a very high pressure situations
15:07Most of the time
15:08Wherever we play
15:09Whether it's a bilateral series
15:11ICC tournaments
15:12Indian cricket team
15:13Is always under pressure
15:15That's the fact
15:16And it's not just now
15:17It's been
15:18Since the time I started playing
15:20I am sure it was there before also
15:22But since the time I started playing
15:24It's always been like that
15:26Most of the guys are used to it
15:28And then for us
15:30It makes it more important then
15:32To have little bit of calmness
15:34In the dressing room
15:36While we are playing
15:38In the hotels and stuff like that
15:40There is no point thinking too much
15:42And getting over excited about it
15:44I think it's important that
15:47Everyone stays under control
15:49And you know
15:51And then
15:53Just take the game as it comes
15:55Think about what lies in front of you
15:57What decisions you have to make
15:59What the oppositions are trying to do
16:01And all of that
16:02That is why I keep talking about experience
16:04In our squad
16:05And that is what experience
16:06That is where experience
16:07Actually helps
16:08When you have
16:09Such experience in your squad
16:11And when there is a situation
16:12Which is slightly
16:14You know tough
16:15Or you are going through
16:17Some pressure overs
16:18And things like that
16:19You have got individuals
16:20To make those decisions there
16:21What is the right one to do
16:23And what is the right one to take
16:25And we completely back those decisions
16:27That's where you try
16:29That's where I think
16:30As a team
16:31You can all be on one page
16:32Because you know
16:33Certain individuals
16:34Trying to do certain things
16:35And then
16:36The last thing we want to do
16:37Is have a disagreement on that
16:39And I don't think that's the right way
16:41Whatever they do
16:43You got to back them to do that
16:47Sorry, we will now have time
16:49For only three more questions
16:50Vikrant Gupta, Vipul Kashyap and
16:52Sunandan Lele
16:56Arvind, what's the big takeaway
16:58For you as batsman
17:00And the team from the victory
17:02Against Australia
17:03One big takeaway
17:08That there is no more
17:09Australian cricket team
17:10In this competition
17:17Look, I think
17:18Australia is a great side
17:20Without a doubt
17:21That's probably the reason
17:23They have won so many championships
17:26But
17:27For us
17:28The last game
17:29I think the confidence
17:31The game we played with
17:33With our bat
17:34With our ball
17:35I think that is something
17:36That we can take away
17:38With us
17:39That confidence
17:40Of bowlers executing their plans
17:42Batters going out there
17:43And doing their job
17:45So I think that was
17:47The big one for us
17:48And when you
17:49Play a game
17:50Against a quality team
17:51Top team
17:52And when you win like that
17:54You know, everything
17:55Falling into the place
17:57That can give you so much confidence
17:59And I think
18:00This format is all about confidence
18:02You know
18:03As long as you are confident
18:04In what you want to do
18:07You know, you are putting the right
18:09You are putting the foot
18:10In the right direction
18:11And that is what we wanted
18:12From that game
18:13We wanted to take a lot
18:14Of confidence
18:15Batters
18:16Getting the job done
18:17Scoring
18:18Putting the runs on the board
18:19And then trying
18:20Bowlers trying to defend
18:21That score
18:22We know
18:23The batting lineup
18:24That Australia has
18:25You know
18:26No score is safe
18:27But
18:28For us to defend
18:29And win by 20 odd runs
18:30Was
18:31Was a great
18:32Confidence
18:33Moving ahead
18:34Into this game
18:35And personally
18:36For me as well
18:37Like, you know
18:38I wanted to try
18:39And do something
18:40Which I have been trying to do
18:41For
18:42You know, number of years
18:43And
18:44You know
18:45Which is
18:46Which is to
18:47Try and put pressure
18:48On the bowlers
18:49In
18:50Whatever way
18:51I can
18:52And for me to do that
18:53Was a great
18:54Satisfaction
18:55At the end of the day
18:56You know
18:57I was waiting for the
18:58For the game to end
18:59Obviously
19:00We wanted the result
19:01In our favor
19:02And that is when
19:03You feel that
19:04What you did there
19:05You know
19:06Was very satisfying
19:07So
19:08For me
19:09That was a big factor
19:10Personally
19:11Going out there
19:12Trying to put pressure
19:13On the bowlers
19:14Opposition
19:15Because
19:16We have seen this format
19:17When you are under pressure
19:18That is when
19:19Things can falter
19:20And that is what
19:21You want to try
19:22And implement
19:23On the opposition
19:24And we
19:25As a batter
19:26For me
19:27To do that
19:28Was very satisfying
19:29And then
19:30Again
19:31It takes a lot
19:32Of calculation
19:33It takes a lot of
19:34Understanding
19:35What you want to do
19:36Where you want to hit
19:37I spoke about
19:38Hitting all sides
19:39Of the ground
19:40Not just one side
19:41So for me
19:42That is what
19:43Was very satisfying
20:11And that is when
20:12You feel that
20:13What you did there
20:14Was very satisfying
20:15And that is when
20:16You feel that
20:17What you did there
20:18Was very satisfying
20:19And that is when
20:20You feel that
20:21What you did there
20:22Was very satisfying
20:23And that is when
20:24You feel that
20:25What you did there
20:26Was very satisfying
20:27And that is when
20:28You feel that
20:29What you did there
20:30Was very satisfying
20:31And that is when
20:32You feel that
20:33What you did there
20:34Was very satisfying
20:35And that is when
20:36You feel that
20:37What you did there
20:38Was very satisfying
20:39And that is when
20:40You feel that
20:41What you did there
20:42Was very satisfying
20:43And that is when
20:44You feel that
20:45What you did there
20:46Was very satisfying
20:47And that is when
20:48You feel that
20:49What you did there
20:50Was very satisfying
20:51And that is when
20:52You feel that
20:53What you did there
20:54Was very satisfying
20:55And that is when
20:56You feel that
20:57What you did there
20:58Was very satisfying
20:59And that is when
21:00You feel that
21:01What you did there
21:02Was very satisfying
21:03And that is when
21:04You feel that
21:05What you did there
21:06Was very satisfying
21:07And that is when
21:08You feel that
21:09Yes, to some extent
21:12It is necessary to play without any strain
21:14Absolutely
21:15And this
21:16Environment
21:17That we have created
21:18Within the team
21:19For the past
21:20Several years
21:21Umm
21:23Right now
21:26We have been constantly
21:27Talking about this
21:28Since a long time
21:29That
21:30You know, we
21:32Don't have to think much
21:33We have to play without stress
21:34This format itself
21:35Has become like this
21:36Umm
21:37That
21:38individual scores, individual brilliance,
21:40it doesn't matter that much.
21:42If someone has done it, it's good, but
21:44you shouldn't focus on making 70-80 runs,
21:46or 90 runs, or 100 runs.
21:48I think,
21:50our Bangladesh game
21:52was a perfect game.
21:54Why would I say that?
21:56Because, only one guy made
21:5850 runs.
22:00The rest of the players made
22:0220-30, 20-30.
22:04And still, we made 198,
22:06which is a very good score.
22:08So, I think,
22:10as a captain, I like this a lot.
22:12Because, everyone played
22:14their role.
22:16Everyone played their role.
22:18And still,
22:20one guy,
22:22two guys didn't make
22:2450, or 70, or 80, or 90 runs.
22:26One guy made 50 runs,
22:28six batsmen made 20-30,
22:30and we reached 198.
22:32That's because,
22:34let's say,
22:36this is the role of this player,
22:38he has to do this in this phase.
22:40He did that.
22:42That's how we reached that score.
22:44So, I think, this is what,
22:46this is very important for our team.
22:48If we play 8 batsmen,
22:50they will play their role,
22:52and we will reach
22:54the score we want.
22:56Similarly, I see bowling
22:58the same way.
23:00If someone doesn't have a day,
23:02he won't get a chance to bowl 4 overs.
23:04He will get a chance to bowl 1 or 2 overs.
23:06So, he has to bowl
23:081 or 2 overs in the right way.
23:10And I keep talking to the players
23:12about this thing.
23:14I want 1 or 2 overs from you today.
23:16I want those 2 tight overs.
23:18You are creating pressure here.
23:20So that other bowlers
23:22can come from the other end and take the wicket.
23:24So, these small things,
23:26we keep talking about these things
23:28in the team.
23:30So, I think, the message in the team
23:32is very clear.
23:34And it is like this,
23:36whoever has a role, play that role.
23:38Someone may have 100 runs that day.
23:40Someone may have
23:4270-80 runs.
23:44But our focus is not on the individual score.
23:46It is on the role.
23:48How will you play the role?
23:52Thank you.
24:00Thank you.