India finished their campaign in the round-robin stage of this World Cup in style and captain Virat Kohli seems to be getting more and more confident about his team’s prospects in the semi-finals.
“We wanted to play good cricket. To be honest, we didn’t expect this kind of scoreline (winning seven and losing just one) heading into the semi-finals. But that’s what consistent performances and hard work get you.
“I’m really proud and happy for our team. Most amazing team to be a part of...” Kohli said at the post-match presentation, after India’s comfortable seven-wicket win against Sri Lanka in Leeds on Saturday. If the team plays well, it can beat anyone, Kohli asserted. “The opposition has never mattered. We don’t focus on what the opposition brings to the table.
“If we play well, we can beat anyone. The focus has to be within and we are confident of our skill sets. We just want to go out there in the semi-final and express our skills and strengths as a team. So regardless of who we play, we want to play good cricket and get the result our way,” Kohli said.
India, however, have to be careful about not being one-dimensional, Kohli pointed out.
“We don’t want to be one dimensional. I think the team that is more flexible on the day has more chances of executing what it wants to.
“Obviously the dimensions and the pitches we play on will matter a lot, so we need a good balance in the side and whatever combination provides us the balance, we will go ahead with that and really feel confident if we are batting first or bowling first.”