India ‘calm and composed’ amid World Cup final hype, says Rohit Sharma

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 India vs Australia finals at Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023. Rohit Sharma talks about team preparation and other tactics

Captain Rohit Sharma on November 18 said his players understand the pressure of being Indian cricketers and remain “calm and composed” for the World Cup final against five-time champions Australia.

The hosts are undefeated in 10 matches and will eye their first global trophy in over a decade in front of around 130,000 fans at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19.

“Leading up to every game we have been quite composed, quite calm about what we want to do, because we know how it is outside the environment we have,” Rohit told reporters.

“The expectations and the pressure, criticism and everything, so it’s important we stick to our strength and what we want to do as a team.”

“Inside what they (players) feel I can’t tell you, but when they are around the group, everybody seems to be quite relaxed and calm. Being an Indian cricketer you have deal with pressure, that’s a given, it’s there.”

India last won the World Cup in 2011 at home under M.S. Dhoni with the cricket crazy-country erupting in joy as thousands took to the streets to celebrate.

Two years later, Dhoni led India to the 2013 Champions Trophy, but the cricketing powerhouse faltered at the World Cup semi-final stage in 2015 and 2019.