There might have a lot of talks and hype around the India-New Zealand World Cup 2019 semi-final on Tuesday, 9th July, which can probably overwhelm both teams, obviously it is really a big game that will take an inch closer to the coveted trophy, but Head coach Ravi Shastri has insisted that Men in Blue are taking the virtual final as just another game at in Manchester.
Virat Kohli and his team are entering to the mega encounter as the table topper with 15 points, while Kane Williamson led New Zealand after three straight losses in the group phase, but the first semi-final would be certainly expecting a tight encounter here in Manchester.
Speaking to the International Cricket Council (ICC) on the eve of the big World Cup match, Shastri believes that India's familiarity with New Zealand will help his players in the semi-final.
Shastri told ICC on Monday, 8th July, “We have played against them quite a bit as well. We toured New Zealand and they were in India some time ago. They know what to expect, we also know what to expect. We treat every game as a new game. The opposition doesn't matter. Our job is to get out there and do our jobs. As an individual and as a team.”
He signed off by saying, “You might call it a semi-final, for us it's just another game. Do what you have been doing... you don't have to anything different just because it's a semi-final. Stick to what you have been doing... what happens after that will happen.”
(With ICC Inputs)
