‘Don’t Be Complacement, Focus On Big Matches’: BCCI Secretary On India’s Dominant Start In Champions Trophy
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The BCCI Secretary, Devajit Saikia wants the Indian team to focus on the big matches coming up and not get complacent after securing their spot in the knockout-stages of the Champions Trophy.
Gautam Gambhir (R) and Rohit Sharma (L) will look to continue India’s winning momentum. (Image: AP)
Devakit Saikia, the secretary for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) called for the Indian cricket team to not get complacent and focus on the big games coming up in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025.
The Indian team won both their group-stage games, beating Bangladesh and Pakistan by six wickets respectively. New Zealand’s win over Bangladesh also meant that India secured their spot in the semi-final as well.
The BCCI Secretary, despite hailing the collective performances from the India stars, warned that now was not the time to put the foot off the accelerator. Now the Indian team have their final group-stage game against New Zealand followed by the knockout games where everything is on the line.
“We don’t need to be complacent… should focus on the big matches ahead (semi-final and final). The entire team is performing well, Rohit (Sharma) is scoring, Virat (Kohli) smashed a brilliant ton and Hardik Pandya bowled really well. So, we’re very happy with the win over Pakistan,” Saikia told IANS.
70 per cent of the crowd present in the stadium (in Dubai) was supporting Team India and the atmosphere was electrifying. Everybody is so proud of the team,” he added.
Virat Kohli stole the show against their arch-rivals where he scored a sensational century in Dubai to lead India to victory. He got to his milestone with his signature cover drive, which was also the winning run as well.
For Pakistan, the situation is not ideal as the designated hosts have now crashed out of the tournament with their last group-stage fixture left to be played. The Mohammad Rizwan-led side will now play Bangladesh in a dead-rubber contest.
In Group B, the game is open for all four sides to come through. But the ongoing game between Australia and South Africa is yet to start with rain interrupting the start of play. A washout could see both Afghanistan and England revive their hopes of securing a spot in the semi-final. South Africa and Australia are the two teams that have a win under their belt and both teams will hope to have get on the field to ensure that they seal their chances of going through.