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Ahead of the highly anticipated ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa, Rahul Dravid, the head coach of the Indian team, has rejected any suggestion that their familiarity with the Barbados pitch would give them an upper hand in the upcoming match on Saturday, June 29.
Dravid emphasized that playing their Super-8 match against Afghanistan in Barbados does not necessarily mean India has an advantage over South Africa, who have yet to compete at this venue during the current T20 World Cup 2024.
Nevertheless, Dravid acknowledged that having previous experience on the Barbados pitch could be helpful, but he noted that match conditions can vary significantly. As the outgoing head coach of India, Dravid highlighted the importance of adaptability, which he believes has been a critical factor in his team’s success throughout the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.
Rahul Dravid has downplayed any potential advantage from playing in Barbados ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Final. Both India and South Africa enter the summit clash unbeaten in the tournament, a testament to their form and preparation.
Reflecting on India’s journey in the tournament, Dravid highlighted their ability to swiftly adjust their game plan based on conditions and the strengths of their opponents. This adaptability, he emphasized, has been crucial in determining their required scores in different match situations.
As India gears up to face South Africa in the final, Dravid emphasized the team’s focus on maintaining their adaptable approach and readiness to confront challenges in Barbados. He expressed confidence in India’s capability to perform well under pressure, citing their collective effort and strategic flexibility as pivotal factors that could lead them to victory in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Rahul Dravid said: “I mean, just the fact that we played a game in Barbados is nice. It’s nice that we have that familiarity thereof having played on that surface in the past. But again, I think it’s very hard to…
“We’re not going to get exactly the same wicket that we got last time. It can be different. And I think what’s really important and I think what we’ve done really well as a group, I think in this whole tournament, is we have shown the ability to adapt, to recognize what is a good score.”
Rahul Dravid – 200-plus score not possible in Barbados
Dravid dismissed the likelihood of achieving totals of 200 or more on the Barbados pitch during the final. He indicated that a clearer assessment of the pitch would come during the match itself but emphasized that scoring around 170 runs would be equivalent to scoring 200 runs on the Barbados surface.
He signed off by saying, “The wicket was slightly slower and lower in that game. Not a bad wicket by any stretch of the imagination, but slightly slower and lower and we got a par plus score again. So, I think that should be the aim. It’s not about only getting 200 here. 170 was like a 200. So, it’s just about figuring out what it is. And hopefully, when we get to Barbados, we’ll see what it’s like.”
