India captain Virat Kohli spoke about the team's chances at the ICC World Cup 2019 in England and Wales. Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri addressed the media in Mumbai on Tuesday. The team will leave for England tomorrow (May 22). India's first match is against South Africa on June 5
Mumbai: India captain Virat Kohli on Tuesday (May 21) said the ICC World Cup 2019 in England and Wales will be the "most challenging" for him and his team's only focus was to play really good cricket.
Addressing the media at the pre-departure press conference at BCCI's headquarter in Mumbai, Kohli said the 10-team tournament was such that any team could upset any opposition. The team will leave for England tomorrow (May 22).
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"I think the only expectation at the World Cup we have, is to play really good cricket. That's been our focus, and that's how the results have followed for us," Kohli said when asked about the expectations at the quadrennial showpiece event.
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The right-hander, who will be participating in his third World Cup, said, "This will be the most challenging World Cup out of the three I have been part of because of the format. It's a different challenge and one that every team will have to adapt. Any team can upset anyone on their day. That's one thing we have in mind. We will focus on our skill sets. Every game you have to play your best.”
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Talking about the Indian bowlers, the skipper said all of them who played in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2019), were preparing for the 50-over format.
"All the bowlers in the squad, even during the IPL, were preparing themselves to play 50-over format in England," he said.
Kohli called spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal as "two pillars" of Indian bowling. Also, he said it was important for the team to handle pressure of the big tournament.
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Kohli said the players won't feel tired as there is enough days of rest between games. "We have enough gap between games so players won't get burned down. We have four tough games straight up so that will set the tone of us. We don't have any room for complacency. You have to maintain your intensity throughout."
Coach Ravi Shastri said, "Our mantra will be to flexible. If conditions change, you have to be up for it. In England overhead conditions matter a lot. We have a experienced group as a bowling unit, each one compliments the other."
India will launch campaign against South Africa on June 5. The big game against Pakistan is on June 16.
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