Sharjah, Feb 26: Former Indian cricketer and coach Lalchand Rajput, who managed the young Indian squad to an unexpected triumph in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, is now confident that the current Indian team will dominate the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
Rajput, currently serving as the head coach of the UAE cricket team, praised India's aggressive approach in recent matches. "This Indian team looks ruthless. They aim to dominate and win every game without allowing their opponents a chance to bounce back. Given their current form, they should win the Champions Trophy convincingly," Rajput said on Tuesday.
Kohli’s Century Sets the Tone, Rohit Expected to Follow
Having watched Virat Kohli register his 51st ODI century in India's six-wicket win over Pakistan in Dubai, Rajput now expects captain Rohit Sharma to deliver a big innings soon."Virat got a hundred—one box ticked. Now, it's up to Rohit to get a big one," he quipped, emphasizing India’s relentless approach.
Caution Against Complacency
Despite India’s dominant victories against Pakistan and Bangladesh, Rajput warned against underestimating New Zealand in their final group-stage match on Sunday."In cricket, you can’t afford to take things lightly. A single over can change the course of a game. New Zealand is a better side than Pakistan and Bangladesh, and their morale is high after winning both their matches. India must stay sharp and take it one game at a time," he advised.
No Major Changes Expected for New Zealand Clash
With both India and New Zealand already securing semi-final spots, there is speculation about potential squad changes. However, Rajput believes consistency is key."I don’t think they will experiment much. When a team is in winning momentum, it’s best to continue with the same combination unless injuries force a change," he explained.
Fielding the Only Area for Improvement
While lauding India’s performance, Rajput pointed out fielding as an area where the team can still improve."At crucial moments, we cannot afford to drop catches. Fielding is one aspect where we can always do better," he noted.
Rajput, who attended India’s previous match, confirmed he would be present for the New Zealand fixture and the semi-finals, expressing hope for an Indian appearance in the final.
With India firing on all cylinders, fans eagerly await their next performance as they march toward another ICC title.
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