Mumbai, February 19 Former bowling coach Paras Mhambrey said on Thursday that it is not just about winning, but how the team wins, pointing out that India's four straight victories in the T20 World Cup have been impressive, with four different players earning the Player of the Match awards, highlighting the squad's depth and teamwork.
India topped Group A with four straight wins to advance to the Super Eights, and Mhambrey said the challenges encountered so far will stand the team in good stead heading into the crucial phase of the tournament.
"One aspect is the way the Indian team is playing. The kind of cricket they are playing, I think it's fantastic," Mhambrey said at the launch of the MI Junior Season 6 at the MCA-BKC Ground.
"It's not just about winning – I'm not surprised – it's the way we have won these games," he said.
Mhambrey said India have faced a few challenging moments in the tournament, experiences he believes will keep the players alert and better prepared for the tougher tests ahead.
“We have had challenging moments. The game against the US was a classic example where suddenly we had three or four wickets down. And people questioned 'Is this going to be the game?' And then, you have someone playing that kind of a knock," the former India player said.
“Surya (Yadav) played that knock and just took it away...(The) good thing is, everyone has contributed. In the last four games, if I'm not wrong, there have been four different Players of the Match. This speaks about everyone contributing."
“You don't want to have only one or two players doing most of the batting or bowling. When the real pressure situation comes and you lose those two important wickets, then you're in a slightly unfamiliar environment. But it's good to see everyone contributing,” he said.
Mhambrey cited Australia's loss to Zimbabwe and said that at no point can a top team take it easy.
“If you let your guard down, if you're not at the top of your game, there's an opportunity that someone else will slip by. That game (Australia vs Zimbabwe) told you that," he said.
“A team like Zimbabwe (would have) never thought they would beat a team like Australia. They won purely on the way they play cricket," Mhambrey added.
Mhambrey said the T20 World Cup is now an "open tournament."
“I think it's an open tournament now. South Africa is doing well. Sri Lanka has done well. New Zealand always wants to be competitive... come ICC tournaments, they have a different team altogether. There are four or five great contenders," he said.
Mhambrey said being at the same venue where Mumbai players engage in their Ranji Trophy fixtures will motivate the young cricketers.
“To sit in the same dressing rooms as their heroes with their pictures on display is amazing. Sitting on the same chair where your heroes have sat must be so inspiring for the kids and such an incredible feeling," he said.
“The seed is being planted and we will see at least a couple of these players represent Mumbai in the next 5-6 years.”
