Looking to end their long-standing ICC trophy drought, Team India will begin their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 5.
With only two days remaining for the match, India’s team composition is making all the noise, especially the opening combination.
While Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma would provide a left-right opening combo, there is a school of thought that in-form Virat Kohli should partner the Indian captain at the top.
Ahead of their tournament opener, India coach Rahul Dravid said they aren't 'ready' to reveal plans when it comes to the opening pair.
"We've got options, so we are obviously not going to reveal our cards just yet, but certainly we've got options. We have Rohit and Jaiswal and Virat opened in the IPL as well," said Dravid while speaking to reporters in New York.
"We picked the team keeping in mind that we have three options and we could pick and choose what we wanted depending on the conditions and kind of combination we go into these games with," he added.
The playing surface at the Nassau County ground has come under the scanner but Dravid said that his side won't be complaining about the pitch on offer and will look to adjust to the conditions.
"We had three practice sessions here. From the third session onwards, the wicket became better. But a wicket is a wicket. We don't want to label it as bad or good. It is a wicket and you have to manage and you have to adjust to it. So we will not complain about the wicket," the coach stated.
A score of 200 was considered a par in the recently held IPL 2024 season, but it appears to be more than just a par score in New York.
Notably, South Africa bundled out Sri Lanka for a paltry 77 and won the match by six wickets in the first-ever international match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.
Rahul Dravid emphasized that his players will need to adapt to the varied conditions, echoing the sentiment of resilience and flexibility in approaching the game.
"As we talk about T20 cricket, maybe we won't be able to play like that in this tournament. Maybe in this venue. We will hopefully play in many venues. So, it will be different there. So, it will be important to adapt," Dravid said.
"I didn't watch the match today. We will see the recording. But the score was a little low. I have no idea what exactly happened. But if it is like that, then you will have to fight and make 140. Maybe that will be the winning score. In some matches, there will be a winning score of 200. So whatever the score is, you will have to react and adapt," he further remarked.
It's been more than a decade since Team India last won a global title. Last year, they lost the WTC final and ODI World Cup final to Australia.
However, Dravid defended the performance of the Indian players in the recent ICC tournaments.
"To be very honest with you, I think we've actually played really well in these World Cup tournaments. In terms of our consistency, we've been very consistent," said Dravid.
"Obviously making the semi-final in Australia (2022). The World Test Championship is slightly different, it's not one tournament, but it's a whole cycle but playing extremely well in that cycle to get to the final there again.
"And then we know the 50-over World Cup where we had a great run and went into the final. So, in terms of our consistency and quality of cricket that we have played in these big tournaments, we've been right up there with some of the best teams."
The India head coach expressed the team's determination to maintain high standards and aim for the ultimate prize.
"Yes, we probably haven't been able to get across the line in the knockout game. So, we just probably haven't been able to execute in that last phase. So, hopefully we play good cricket to get ourselves into those positions again and then maybe play good cricket on the day to cross the line.
"The important thing when you start these tournaments is not to think about that, is to actually think about getting into those positions. You have to find yourselves in those positions where you are pushing for glory and that's all you can do as a group and as a team," said Dravid.
(With PTI Inputs)
