“Play Fearless”: Virender Sehwag Tells Team India Ahead of World Cup Semi-final vs New Zealand

India are set to take on New Zealand in the first World Cup semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday and former India cricketer and World Cup winner Virender Sehwag had very simple advice for the Men in Blue.

“Play fearless, give your best and don’t think about the result. If eleven players will give their best, India will win,” said Sehwag on the sidelines of the ICC Hall of Fame event in Mumbai.

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The belligerent opener was all praise for India captain Rohit Sharma and also appreciated the way he is “taking care” of Shubman Gill.

“He has been playing freely for a long time but now that he is the captain, he is taking more responsibility to give a good start and score a lot of runs for Team India. And the way he is taking care of Shubman Gill is amazing,” said Sehwag when asked about Rohit’s batting and intent at the top of the order.

Having experienced the pressure and expectations of knockouts during his playing days, Sehwag said it’s important to have some luck going your way. The right-hander cited the example of the India vs Pakistan semi-final in Mohali in 2011 where Team India defended 260 with some luck and a clinical show by the bowlers.

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“You have to play well. You can’t depend on luck all the time but yes in knockout games, you need a little bit of luck because I still remember against Pakistan, they scored 260-270 but we had luck on our side and bowlers bowled well to defend the total. India are playing good cricket and some luck would be sone pe suhaga”

Sehwag’s luck talk was echoed by Rohit earlier in the day where the skipper, at the pre-match press conference, said the time has come to have some luck their way.

“Now, the time has come that you need a little bit of luck as well to go your way. Obviously, we’re going to be brave enough. And hopefully, fortune favours the brave,” said Rohit.