Cricket

India's skipper, Rohit Sharma, has emphasized the importance of composure and simplicity for his team as they prepare for the high-stakes T20 World Cup semifinal against England. Acknowledging past struggles with the fear of failure, Rohit stressed the need to approach the match with a clear mind.The Indian team is eager to avenge their crushing 10-wicket defeat to England in the 2022 semifinal at the Adelaide Oval. Rohit believes that treating the match as a normal game and focusing on their strengths will be crucial."We want to be a smart cricket team," Rohit said. "We have done well with role clarity and rely on the players making good decisions on the field."Rohit praised the team's performance in the Super Eight stage, particularly his own blistering 92-run knock against Australia. He emphasized the importance of staying calm under pressure, a strategy that has served him well throughout his career.Regarding the team's bowling strategy, Rohit remained non-committal on whether they would field four spinners. Wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel have been impressive in the West Indies leg of the tournament, but Rohit indicated that the team would assess the conditions before making a decision.

Indian Cricket Team's Title Drought: Fear of Failure a Major Factor, Says Ian SmithFormer New Zealand cricketer Ian Smith has attributed the Indian cricket team's inability to win major titles to a deep-seated fear of failure. Despite their immense talent and skill, Team India has not secured an ICC trophy since 2013, leaving fans and experts perplexed.Smith, who played 63 Tests and 148 ODIs for New Zealand, empathized with the Indian team, acknowledging the immense pressure they face. According to him, fear of failure is a significant factor in sports, especially in cricket. He highlighted the unique burden that the Indian team carries, playing under the weight of unparalleled expectations."Fear of failure is a massive thing in sport. Pressure is a big thing. Being able to handle the big occasion. I mean, I don't think any team in the world, or cricket in particular, plays with as much pressure on their shoulders as the Indian cricket team," Smith was quoted as saying by PTI.The constant need for victory makes every day a challenge for the Indian players, intensifying the already high stakes of international cricket. The team's journey is laden with expectations and scrutiny, making it a tough mental battle for the players."The expectation... desire from the population for the team to win almost every game. Every day you get out of bed you have to win. It's a tough thing to have to bear," Smith added.The fear of failure and the pressure to constantly perform at their best loom large, hindering Team India's quest for major titles. Despite their struggles, the team continues to strive for success, hoping to overcome these mental barriers and fulfill the dreams of millions of fans worldwide.

Pakistan's dismal performance at the T20 World Cup 2024 has prompted all-rounder Imad Wasim to call for a fundamental reset in the team's approach to white-ball cricket. Wasim, who came out of retirement for the tournament, believes that Pakistan's mindset and approach have fallen behind the rest of the world."We used to rule T20 cricket," Wasim said. "But I think we have moved back a little now. Maybe our mindset needs a change - in all three areas: batting, bowling, and fielding."Wasim emphasized the importance of shedding the fear of failure, which he believes has hindered Pakistan's progress. "We have to get rid of the fear of failure," he said. "Personnel change doesn't change anything, just changing the mindset can change a lot of things."The all-rounder also pointed to the personal attacks that players face after poor performances as a potential factor contributing to the fear of failure. "We are human beings, we can make mistakes and we also get affected by these things," he said.Wasim suggested that a dispassionate analysis of Pakistan's performance, similar to the type he provided as a TV analyst before his retirement, could be beneficial. "Cricketers have to do their job and analyze the cricket," he said. "They have to tell you what is right and what is wrong without getting personal."Despite the disappointment of the World Cup exit, Wasim expressed hope that it could serve as a catalyst for positive change. "This is bad but who knows this could be big for Pakistan?" he said. "We could revamp, revisit and start playing white-ball cricket the way it should be played."