World Cup fever has gripped the entire nation, as India prepares to face off against Australia this Sunday in a highly anticipated World Cup match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Australiaโs captain, Pat Cummins, and his team are determined to silence the resounding chants of โIndia-Indiaโ from the enthusiastic crowd.
During a press conference, Cummins expressed his thoughts on playing against India. He acknowledged the one-sided nature of the crowd but emphasised the satisfaction in quieting a loud and partisan audience. Cummins stated, โYou have got to embrace it. The crowd is obviously going to be very one-sided, but in sports, there is nothing more satisfying than hearing a big crowd go silent. Thatโs the aim for us tomorrow.โ
READ MORE : Watch: Sara Tendulkar reacts as rumoured boyfriend Shubman Gill misses century
He acknowledged that playing in India involves coping with a lot of noise, although the scale of the crowd in Ahmedabad might surpass previous experiences. Cummins noted that different players handle it in various ways, with David Warner likely to engage with the crowd through dance, while others prefer staying focused on the game.
He said,โWe play over here in India a lot, so the noise is not something new. On this scale, itโs probably bigger than we would have experienced before, but itโs not something totally foreign to what weโve had before. Everyone deals with it slightly differently. Davey (David Warner) will be probably dancing and winning the crowd over, other guys will be just staying in their own bubble.โ
Despite Australiaโs historical advantage as five-time champions, India entered the final as favourites due to their impressive form. When asked about the key threat from the Indian side, Cummins singled out Mohammed Shami, the tournamentโs leading wicket-taker.
โThey are all pretty well-rounded in all departments (but) the one guy who didnโt play at the start of the tournament and has done really well is obviously Mohammed Shami. He is a class bowler to right and left-armers. Heโs going to be a big one (to tackle),โ he added.
Cummins also praised the well-rounded skills of the Indian team and specifically highlighted Shami as a formidable bowler against both right and left arms, making him a significant challenge for Australia. Summing up, Cummins acknowledged Indiaโs formidable lineup, featuring five consistent bowlers, including spinners Kuldeep and Jadeja, making them a tough proposition. The Australian skipper expressed confidence in his teamโs ability to face the challenge posed by India in the final. The stage is set for an intense and highly anticipated match between two cricketing giants.
