Ravi Shastri Foresees India’s Redemption in the T20 World Cup, Despite Recent Setback.

November 27, 2023: Former head coach Ravi Shastri remains confident in India’s potential as a “serious challenger” in the upcoming T20 World Cup, pointing to a strong nucleus in the shortest format of the game. Despite India’s recent defeat to Australia in the final, Shastri believes the team has identified a group of talented young players who will make a significant impact in the Caribbean and the USA during the T20 World Cup scheduled for June 4 next year.

The aftermath of Australia’s decisive victory in Ahmedabad, ending India’s 10-match unbeaten run, still lingers in the cricket fraternity. Shastri acknowledged the heartbreak but emphasized the need for the team to learn and move forward.

“It was heartbreaking, but a lot of our guys will learn, the game moves on, and I see India winning a World Cup very soon,” Shastri remarked during the registration launch of the Indian Street Premier League.

Highlighting the strength of India’s T20 core with impactful players like Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rinku Singh, Shastri expressed optimism about India’s chances in the T20 World Cup. He emphasized the shorter format of the game and the team’s focus on excelling in it.

“To be honest, it still hurts from the outside, that we could not win the cup because we were the strongest team,” Shastri admitted, reflecting on India’s performance in the recently concluded tournament.

Drawing parallels with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar’s journey, Shastri noted that winning a World Cup is no easy feat and requires exceptional performance on the big day. He highlighted the importance of rising to the occasion during knockout matches.

“What you do earlier does not count, on that big day, that is when you rise to the occasion. Even before the start of the tournament you knew that, what happens (in terms of the format),” Shastri stated.

Despite India’s strong bowling performance, led by Mohammed Shami’s impressive 24 wickets, Shastri acknowledged that Australia seized the opportunity on the crucial days. He commended the Indian bowlers and expressed optimism about India’s prospects in the T20 World Cup, emphasizing the team’s resilience and potential to perform on the global stage.