Former fast bowler Dale Steyn has advised players to not let the occasion get the better of them in India vs Pakistan. Steyn, speaking on ESPNcricinfo ahead of the marquee World Cup clash said that sometimes players try too hard in big games, and that is where things go wrong.
“Yes, I mean it can take away from the way you normally play. You kind of think I’m playing against this team, and I want to be man of the match, and end up doing more than you’re required too, and that’s when you find guys trying too hard and that where you just kind of lose it. Whereas if I just come in, do what I have to do, just play my part, then everything will unfold,” Steyn said on ESPNcricinfo.
India will take on Pakistan on October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Both teams are coming off back to back wins in the tournament and would hope to continue their run. While India have defeated Australia and Afghanistan, Pakistan come off victories against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka.
Speaking on the same panel, former India captain Anil Kumble said that it is important to stay relaxed and have fun ahead of a big game like this, especially when the turnaround time is just 2 days.
“You don’t want to do things differently just because it’s India- Pakistan. And the tuaround has been only just two days, so one day of travel, that too of course one day prior to the match. Whether you want the entire team to be together at practice, even if it is not just a net, but maybe just to get a feel of the ground and maybe a fun game together,” Kumble said on ESPNcricinfo.
