‘Forget outcomes, but buy into process’ - Matthew Hayden’s advice to India ahead of WTC final
“It's certainly not a question of skill. So, it has to be a question of just the opportunity and the mindset going in," Hayden said of India's ICC title drought.
Former Australia international Matthew Hayden believes that India’s trophy draught in the ICC events is down to players’ mindset and not their skills. The 51-year-old also added that the members of the team should forget about the outcome and focus on the process to find success.
Notably, the Rohit Sharma-led side will take on Australia in the World Test Championship final, which is slated to begin on June 7 at the Oval. Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out while Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are out of action as well. Thus, the team is certainly under pressure and it will not be an easy task to face Australia pacers in English conditions. Hayden, meanwhile, added that cricket's popularity in the sub-continent creates more pressure on the players.
“It's certainly not a question of skill. So, it has to be a question of just the opportunity and the mindset going in. I mean, cricket is life here, it is the DNA of sport and has no other competitors. In Australia, I could walk down the street and largely be unrecognised, especially with this terrible beard and hat on (laughs). But it's also got great competitive sports besides cricket. Rugby, football, our watersports, surfing, outdoor sports, here in India it's very insular and there's a lot of pressure.
“It's the same with Pakistan cricket as well. There is one sport and it is cricket so it's a mindset thing. Being cautious about looking for the scoreboard and looking for the titles and just playing and being a part of process, something when you look at franchise setups, Gujarat Titans have done really well this year and CSK have done very well. Mumbai Indians as well believe in a certain process. So, that would be my advice to Indian cricket to forget the outcomes, but buy into the process,” Hayden was quoted saying by The Telegraph online.
Meanwhile, all the members of team India have reached England to cope with the conditions and get adjusted to red-ball cricket.
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