Ravi Shastri Reveals MS Dhoni’s Strategy to Avoid Pressure in World Cup Knockouts

In the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023, India remains unbeaten, but a piece of strategic advice from former captain MS Dhoni has resurfaced as the team prepares to face New Zealand in a crucial match.

As the tournament progresses, the unbeaten records of both New Zealand and India have set the stage for an exciting clash in game 21 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. However, it’s former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri’s revelation about a strategy from MS Dhoni that has caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts.

Dhoni, during his captaincy in 2011, had remarked that losing a game in the group stages could be beneficial for a team’s overall World Cup campaign. He suggested that occasionally losing a league match in the early stages of the tournament might serve as a wake-up call for the team. This, according to Dhoni, prevented them from being suddenly overwhelmed by the pressure in a semi-final or final.

Ravi Shastri talks about MS Dhoni

“In 2011 India lost one game. And that was a league game to New Zealand, but they went on to win the World Cup. I remember MS Dhoni when he was the captain said once, ‘You know, sometimes in the league format (in World Cup), it’s good to lose one game, you know, because you know, you don’t want to be suddenly caught in a semi-final or final where you want everything and then you get the shivers,'” Shastri revealed on Star Sports.

In 2011, India did indeed lose a league match to New Zealand, yet they went on to lift the World Cup trophy. Dhoni’s words turned out to be prophetic, and his leadership played a pivotal role in India’s World Cup success that year.

The current Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, has displayed remarkable form in the ODI World Cup 2023, winning all four of their matches against Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. As they prepare to take on New Zealand, both teams aim to extend their winning streaks. This encounter is poised to be a significant test for both sides, and cricket fans are eager to witness the outcome in Dharamshala.

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