MUMBAI: India’s team director Ravi Shastri today called on the side’s under-performing batsmen to raise their game in the ICC World Twenty20 semifinal against West Indies here, saying the hosts can’t rely on one or two individuals at this stage of the tournament.
Shastri hoped that batsmen such as Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina, after an indifferent run, step up and show their mettle at the Wankhede Stadium tomorrow.
“I still believe we have played only 70 per cent to our abilities in this tournament. There are still areas where we can improve. Let’s hope it happens tomorrow,” Shastri said at the match-eve media conference.
“In a semifinal you got to get your A game in. You can’t depend on one or two players, you need 6-7 players to step up to the plate. It has not happened so far in this tournament. Let’s hope it happens tomorrow.”
The former captain was referring to the misfiring top-order, barring Virat Kohli who has been outstanding.
Effusive in his praise for Kohli’s unbeaten 82 against Australia in the quarterfinal at Mohali, Shastri said the Delhi stalwart turned around his fortunes through sheer hard work after an indifferent show in England in 2014.
“It was outstanding innings, one of the best you will ever see in T20 cricket, considering the occasion, the pressure. The kind of crickting shots he played was unbelievable.
“I had absolutely no doubt when I took on the job, seeing the form he was in, knowing fully well that he will be back on track. It was just case of mind over matter. You got to give him the credit for really believing that he can be right up there with the best and putting in the hard yards.(Agencies)
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