The most awaited day of the year for cricket fans has finally arrived as India will take on Pakistan in their 2022 T20 World Cup opener at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Ahead of the high-octane clash, India head coach Rahul Dravid, who is known for his calm demeanour, showed a rare aggressive side of him as he asked his wards to smash bowlers all over the park and not bat like a ‘Wall’.

Notably, Dravid was fondly known as ‘The Wall’ during his playing days for his patient and defensive batting style.

“No absolutely not. No walls, we just want players to smash it,” said Dravid in a video posted by ICC on being questioned if he wants players to bat like him.

According to the India coach, a team cannot go into the match with the past history in their mind.

“In T20I cricket, margins are so small. You cannot go into every game thinking about the past. You can take confidence from it. But you got to realise that irrespective of who you are playing, they can beat you on that day and you gotta be at the top of your game,” he stated.

For Dravid, the Indian team is ready for the match and tournament and it’s all about execution of plans in the tournament.

Rahul Dravid, who represented India in 164 Tests 344 ODIs and 1 T20I, further said that he enjoys coaching players in shortest format.

“Just the way data and technology is being used now in the game, you have to stay abreast of it and ensure a way in which you can pass on the message to your players. I really enjoy coaching in this format. It is quick, fast. It challenges you, tests you, frustrates you,” he said.

India’s T20I Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Akshar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami.

(With ANI inputs)