Indian captain Rohit Sharma brushed aside the fears that his side is under added pressure against Australia in the Champions Trophy semifinal. Although India has had a poor record in ICC knockout matches against Australia since their quarterfinal victory at the 2011 World Cup, Rohit feels that both sides will have an equal “pressure to win” in the match.
Following the Winning Formula
Before the semifinal, Rohit said that it is crucial to ensure consistency and sticking to the same strategy that was successful in other matches.
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="1080px" width="1920px" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="427px" width="758px" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="454px" width="806px" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
“Look, they are a wonderful opposition to play against. All we had to do is what we have been thinking the last three games and we have to go about that game in a similar way. We know the opposition and how they play and things like that,” he added during the pre-match press conference.
A High-Intensity Semifinal on the Cards
Rohit anticipates a fierce contest, acknowledging that both teams will experience high-pressure moments during the game.
“We will expect some nervy times as well in the middle. But that is how the game is being played these days. And you are talking about the semifinal. Obviously, the pressure will be on both teams to win that game,” he added.
Australia’s Fighting Spirit vs India’s Determination
Even with Australia’s missing key players such as Pat Cummins, Rohit believes that they will be tough and tough to break. Nevertheless, he is sure that India has the capability to overcome the challenge.
“But I believe the more and more we concentrate on what we have to do as a team, as a player, as a batting combination, as a bowling combination, that works a lot. Australia have been such a good side for so many years. So, we will look to expect some fight back.”.
“So, I believe that it is essential for us to just keep concentrating on what we have to do, keep doing our things and keep doing those things correctly. And then the outcome will be there if we keep doing the things that we are meant to,” he signed off.
As India prepares for the highly anticipated semifinal, supporters will be praying that the team can finally end their ICC knockout jinx against Australia.
