God will be in India dressing room if we play England in final, feels Ravi Shastri
He also praised Rohit Sharma for his scintillating form in the tournament.
India are yet unfinished with the job of making the final of the ICC World Cup 2019 as their semi-final clash with New Zealand was interrupted by rain. But head coach Ravi Shastri already has some thoughts in store for the title clash. The former all-rounder, who was a member of the Indian squad that had won the 1983 World Cup also in England, hoped god will be on their side given they meet England in the final at Lord’s on Sunday (July 14).
According to the 57-year-old, the divine force was sitting in England dressing room during their league match at Edgbaston on June 30 but felt it will choose to bless India in the next meeting. India conceded 337 runs to the hosts and then scored 306 to lose by 31 runs. That was the only game that the Men in Blue have lost in this World Cup.
“I thought god was in England’s dressing room that day. Hope if we play England next, he sits in ours,” Shastri was found saying in a video posted by the International Cricket Council. He also praised in-form opener Rohit Sharma who has so far scored five centuries in the ongoing World Cup.
“No one has done that. He has been really consistent for India at the top. His form was no surprise. If he chooses a tournament like the World Cup to get that form in, as a coach, I will take it.” Shastri praised Rohit’s hundred against South Africa in Southampton in the opening game as one of his best.
India were playing New Zealand and did well to put them under pressure till 46.1 overs when they scored 211 for 5. The match was interrupted then as the skies opened up and the fans and experts were busy making the arithmetical calculations as to what would be India’s final target to win the semi-final and make their fourth World Cup final after 1983, 2003 and 2011.
England to play Australia in the second semi-final
England will take on their arch-rivals Australia in the other semi-final at Edgbaston on Thursday. The Three Lions will be playing a World Cup semi-final after 27 years and try to avenge their league match loss to the Kangaroos in the blockbuster clash.
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