If I claimed that the semi-final pressure would not exist, I would be lying. Rahul Dravid

India won easily against New Zealand earlier in the ODI World Cup 2023, but the Men in Blue cannot afford to underestimate them in this first semi-final. Since the Black Caps have caused India problems in several previous knockout games, India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, is being careful this time.

The 50-year-old discussed the matter and said that although there is pressure on them because it’s a knockout game, he believes his boys can prepare well and win at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Since he is aware that a single defeat might alter the sentiment of the supporters, he intends to concentrate on the preparations before the November 15 game.

“To pretend that there won’t be any semi-final pressure would be to be inauthentic. There is no guarantee that you will win any cricket games. All you can do is try your hardest to get ready, which is what we’ve been doing. Things appear nice when they’re going well. Speaking to the broadcasters following India’s decisive victory against the Netherlands in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, Dravid said, “One loss and everyone says you don’t know anything.”

Our middle order is anchored by Shreyas Iyer: Rahul Dravid

In the previous several games, Shreyas Iyer has proven to be a formidable opponent. The 28-year-old, who scored an explosive century in the most recent game against the Netherlands, is currently India’s third-highest run scorer in the prestigious competition. Dravid said of him that the Mumbai-born batsman is the foundation of India’s middle order and that he is really happy with the style of cricket he has played thus far.

We all know how difficult it has been for us to find a decent No. 4 hitter over the past ten years, and Shreyas Iyer is the foundation of our middle order. I’m really happy with how we performed during these nine games. Very clinical from the first game to the present,” stated Dravid.