Rahul Dravid Praises Team India’s Preparations for Upcoming ODI World Cup

With the ICC ODI World Cup set to kick off on October 5, Team India is leaving no stone unturned in their preparations. Head coach Rahul Dravid has offered insights into the team’s readiness, highlighting the importance of valuable game time for key players.

Positive Signs in Recent Performances

India’s preparations for the upcoming ODI World Cup have been promising. The team showcased excellent performances in preceding tournaments and notably in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against Australia. As the tournament rapidly approaches, Rahul Dravid, the head coach of Team India, took centre stage to express his satisfaction with the squad’s preparation.

Game Time Crucial for Key Players

Dravid emphasised the significance of valuable game time for key players like Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul. He highlighted that gaining this experience against competitive sides was crucial for their confidence and readiness. Dravid stated, “For people like Jasprit, Ashwin, Shreyas, KL, getting game time was important, and getting that against a competitive side is a good thing.”

Dravid also shed light on the challenges posed by practice games, which typically involve limited numbers of players. He pointed out that in practice games, it is challenging to replicate the intensity of actual matches. However, he was content with how players like Jasprit Bumrah performed, mentioning, “Jasprit got a couple of games, and bowled his quota of 10 overs.”

Player Returns and Preparations

Team India has seen the return of players from injuries or extended breaks, adding depth to the squad. Rahul Dravid expressed satisfaction with their performances. The team’s first warm-up game is against England on Saturday, September 30, ahead of the World Cup. Dravid emphasised the importance of players being in Guwahati by September 28 to prepare for the clash.

Dravid acknowledged a few challenges faced by the team, including viral fever among the players and some departing for the Asian Games. However, he expressed hope that everyone would be ready for the upcoming warm-up match. He stated, “I’m expecting everybody to be there at Guwahati by 28th night or 29th early morning, and hopefully the bug going around the ground has cleared up as well.”

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