It was an important game for us: India's batting coach on the washout

“We were really looking forward to play a game,” said India’s batting coach Vikram Rathore in a media interaction after India’s last group game against Canada was washed out in Lauderhill, Florida. 

Although India have already qualified, Rathore stated that it was an important game for the Men in Blue owing to the change in conditions. India played all their first three games in New York where the par score ranged between 110 and 130. However, this fixture was scheduled in Lauderhill and the Indian side was looking for a contest on better wickets. 

“We were expecting better batting conditions than what we got in New York. So as a team I think it was important for us to get a game but again something that we can't control. So, it's unfortunate that we couldn't get a game here. If the game had happened that would have really helped us,” he explained. 

Asked if there were injury concerns about playing on a wet outfield, Rathore said the team’s focus was only on playing a good game if the match officials had given a green signal. 

“That concern (injuries) is always there when you play in conditions which are not ideal. So, the decision to play or not to play is with the match officials. As a team, we didn't have any say in that. But if the game had happened that would have really helped us,” he answered.

India now play their next game in the Super 8 stage, facing Afghanistan in Barbados on June 20. They played their last game against the USA on June 12, which means a gap of eight days between two matches in this tournament. 

“Again, not ideal,” Rathore spoke about the situation. “It would have been great if we could have gotten a game today. We look forward to having a couple of good practice days in Barbados and get into the game. We are used to these kinds of schedules, we have done it in the past and I am sure we will do it really well this time as well,” he added. 

“This question should be asked to the ICC people. I don't know the reason why they (the groundsmen) didn't have enough covers to cover the whole ground. If they had covered it, definitely that would have helped. But now it's not there and this is what we've got. So, I can't really answer that actually,” Rathore said on being asked about the conditions to counter the inclement weather in Florida. 

Rathore reflected on the pitches in New York which were hard to score for the batters. India won all three games but faced a stiff challenge from the bowling attack of USA and Pakistan. Rathore, meanwhile, feels the Indian batters are equipped to tackle any kind of pitch and the challenge in the New York was good for the team. 

“It's good. You should be able to play on all types of wickets. We have the skills to play in all types of conditions and do well. So, we have got the difficult wickets.

“Hopefully, we will get good wickets in the tournament. And if we get turning wickets or if we get low-scoring games, our team is equipped to deal with that. I think our balance is very good in the team at this time. All the batters are batting well, bowlers are bowling really well, we have 4 spin options, we have enough fast bowlers as well. So, whichever conditions come, I think we are really equipped to deal with that,” Rathore spoke at length about Indian batters and the balance of the team.

Reports suggest that a couple of players from the pool of four reserved players will be back home soon. Rathore confirmed these reports, informing that this was part of the plan moving forward in the competition. 

“This was a plan from the beginning. When we come to the US, four players will come together. After that two will be released and two will travel with us to the West Indies. So, this plan was made from the beginning since the team was selected,” the batting coach told the media. 

In the last question, Rathore was asked about Virat Kohli’s form in this World Cup. After winning the Orange Cap in IPL 2024, Kohli has managed scores of 4, 1 and 0 in this T20 World Cup thus far. However, the team isn’t bothered about the former captain’s form as per the batting coach. 

“I love it when every time I come there is a question about Virat Kohli, whether he is doing well or not. No concern at all, no concern at all. He has been batting superbly from the tournament that he came from. A couple of dismissals here doesn't change anything, he is batting really well. 

“Actually, it's good that he is a little hungrier, he is really keen to do well and really switched on. It's a good space to be a batsman, I think. Looking forward to some good games and watched some good innings from him,” he said in support of Kohli. 

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