London: Indian skipper Virat Kohli knows that Pakistan has nothing to lose and everything to gain in the high-octane ICC Champions Trophy final, and hence shielded his players well from pressure.
“We’ve practised the same way from the first day we came here. Even today’s practice was absolutely similar. There was no any extra intensity or anything like that, there’s no over-excitement. People are just doing the normal things they do in any practice session, and that’s the kind of approach we have maintained throughout the tournament.
“As I said the last time ... it’s just another game of cricket tomorrow, and whatever the result, we need to go forward and play more games. The more relaxed you stay in these kind of situations, it’s a good thing because it helps you take better decisions. Only when you are composed and calm mentally can you help the team come out of difficult situations. Honestly, we have changed nothing from the first day we came here.”
Kohli doesn’t believe in the past and does not agree to the fact that their resounding win in the first match gives them any upper hand.
“I don’t see any relevance of the first game here because you can never tell how a particular team starts a tournament. Some teams start very confidently and then fade off. Some teams might not have the best starts and they come back amazingly, which Pakistan has done. Everyone is aware of the kind of talent they have in their team, and on their day they can beat any side in the world.
“That’s the kind of players they have, and that’s the kind of ability they have in their side. We’re quite aware of that but at the same time, neither are we too intimidated nor are we too arrogant about what we are doing. It’s important to maintain the balance of being confident in your own skill and what you are doing as a team.”
The Indian skipper is not bothered about the fact that Pakistan bowlers are not familiar to his team since they rarely play them. “I prepare the best way I can. I believe in my abilities and I feel like if I’m good enough, if I’m technically good enough, I should be able to counter any bowler who is bowling to me. I don’t take extra pressure of that sort. I like to go by what I see coming out of the hand.at that moment. So whether you have played people before or you haven’t, in this game you cannot guarantee a performance.”
Coach Mickey Arthur, the man who raised the team spirit of Pakistan, was ready to even look beyond the Champions Trophy final.
“The focus after tomorrow is certainly going to be on the 2019 World Cup. It’s going to be about creating a squad, creating some depth so that we can come here in 2019 and give it a shake. It will also be about how we buy into the way we want to play our game, buying into the way we want to play our cricket. This will just be a nice confirmation for the players that we’re definitely on the right track,” he reiterated.
