NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan has offered strategic counsel to skipper Rohit Sharma ahead of the highly anticipated World Cup final between India and Australia. Wassan suggests that Sharma should adopt a measured approach when facing the formidable pace duo of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in Sunday's clash at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, a repeat of the 2003 Cricket World Cup final.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Wassan acknowledged the formidable nature of the Australian team, emphasising their energy and tenacity.
"They are energetic and dangerous. They have that never-die spirit," Wassan remarked, shedding light on the experience within the Australian squad, with six to eight players having participated in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.
Expressing his concern about Sharma's aggressive approach, Wassan commented, "Rohit has been over-attacking in his approach. But I fear that Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will do well against him, so he should take a measured approach."
On the subject of India's potential advantage over Australia due to the results of the bilateral series this year, Wassan dismissed it as a thing of the past, stating, "Australia lost two matches, but they got momentum at the right time. We have been maintaining a peak for so long, on the other hand."
1/9:Day of destiny for India in World Cup final against Australia
ANI
2/9:India vs Australia: Clash of Titans
India will carry the hopes of billions of fans in the cricket crazy country and beyond when the unbeaten hosts face Australia in Sunday's World Cup final in Ahmedabad.PTI
3/9:Narendra Modi stadium: The grand venue
A showpiece match at the 130,000 capacity Narendra Modi stadium will also feature a pre-match fly-past by the Indian Air Force as well as choreographed displays featuring dozens of dancers and light shows during the innings breaks.PTI
4/9:Virat Kohli: Leading batter of the tournament
Virat Kohli goes into the game as the tournament's leading batsman with 711 runs and having set a new record of 50 ODI hundreds in a 70-run semi-final win over New Zealand in Mumbai.Reuters
5/9:India's quest for a third World Cup title
Unbeaten hosts India have won 10 games in a row on their way to the finish of the tournament as they seek a third World Cup title to follow their stunning victory over the West Indies in a 1983 final at Lord's and a 2011 home triumph sealed with victory against Sri Lanka in Mumbai.AFP
6/9:Can India handle the pressure?
India captain Rohit Sharma: "We know how it is outside the environment that we have -- the expectations, and the pressure, and the criticism, and everything. Not many have played the finals, but like I said, playing for India is as good as playing any World Cup game because there's so much pressure. There's so much expectation."IANS
7/9:Australia's pursuit of a sixth title
Australia are bidding for a record-extending sixth World Cup title, with Sunday's game their eighth appearance in the final.AFP
8/9:Australia's resilience in the tournament
Australia lost their opening two matches of the tournament. But they have since won eight games in a row and, worryingly for India, had their revenge over South Africa with a tense three wicket-win in a Kolkata semi-final.AFP
9/9:Mohammed Shami: India's trump card
Mohammed Shami tops the tournament bowling charts with 23 wickets at just 9.13 apiece, despite being left out of the side for the first four games.APAttributing India's success in the tournament to a collective team effort, Wassan noted, "All players are performing well, that is why the team is doing good."
He highlighted the pivotal roles played by key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah, identifying them as crucial contributors to the team's impressive performance.
As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the showdown between India and Australia in the World Cup final, Wassan identified players like Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav as potential trump cards, adding to the excitement of what promises to be a thrilling encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
(With inputs from ANI)
