ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Shastri And Kohli With Strong Statements In Press Conference

Team India skipper, Virat Kohli, and Head Coach, Ravi Shastri held a press conference on Tuesday before heading to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Virat Kohli talked about many topics from team India’s World Cup preparation to MS Dhoni to Kedar Jadhav’s injury to Kuldeep Yadav’s form.

Virat Kohli spoke about the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. He said the Indian team is fully prepared to accept the challenge of the biggest exhibition of cricket. He added, “The only expectation we have is to play really good cricket, and that’s why the results have followed. We just expect ourselves to play the best cricket we can in every game.”

Virat Kohli feels that handling the pressure is vital to win a big tournament like the World Cup. “It’s always good to go to any place in advance. Helps in getting rid of the nerves. I think handling pressure is the most important thing in the World Cup. Even during IPL, bowlers were preparing for 50-over cricket, “ said Kohli

Kedar Jadhav was struggling with an elbow injury after the league matches of the IPL 2019. However, Kohli suggested that there are no worries about Jadhav for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. The 30-year-old also talked about the importance of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal in the squad.

He said, “Kuldeep Yadav has had time to reflect and time to correct things entering the World Cup. Kuldeep and Yuzvendra Chahal are the two pillars for the World Cup. We were not worried about Kedar Jadhav. A team that does well in the World Cup is one that can handle the pressure well.”

The format of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 has been changed. The World Cup will be played in round-robin format. Kohli suggested the round-robin format makes the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 more challenging. He said, “It is the most challenging World Cup of all the three I’ve attended so far. Any team can upset any side on their day. That’s one thing that we have in mind.”

He further added, “It’s going to be challenging, but the good thing that there’s a decent gap between every game. Players won’t be burnt out. We’ll always have time to regroup. We have four tough games straight up and that will set the tone for us. We don’t have any room for complacency, and that’s why it’s the World Cup. You have to arrive on the day, match-ready. This is the challenge.”

Team India’s head coach, Ravi Shastri is confident about his team for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. He feels that India has the capability to win the ICC World Cup 2019 title. “As far as this tournament is concerned, it’s an opportunity. This team has played brilliant cricket over the last five years. The most important thing is to get out there and enjoy the World Cup. If you play to your potential, the cup might be here, “ said Shastri.

Ravi Shastri also talked about their preparations for the English conditions. He said, “Our mantra will be to be flexible according to conditions. Anywhere else in the world, overcast conditions don’t matter much, but in England it does. So you’ve got to be ready for that.”

Virat Kohli wants to dedicate the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 to the Indian army. Inspired by the Indian Army, Virat Kohli said, “You get motivation from several sources. There’s no bigger motivation than an Indian Army. If you want to dedicate it to the army, there can’t be anything better.”

Ravi Shastri also talked about MS Dhoni’s role in the bigger events like the World Cup. He said, “Mahendra Singh Dhoni is someone who’ll be right there. His communication with Virat has been fantastic. No one better than him when it comes to keeping. Great to see the way he was moving in this IPL. He will be a big player in this World Cup.”

Virat Kohli, On preparing for Pakistan clash said, “If we keep focusing individually on every team, we won’t be able to focus on our campaign.”

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 starts from May 30 as the hosts England takes on South Africa. India will also face the Proteas in their opening game of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 on May 6.