‘Indian players are too worried about their stats too often’ – Simon Doull analyses India’s shortcomings in ICC events since 2013

In the last decade, the Indian cricket team went into every ICC event as one of the strongest contenders to win the title. However, the rub of the green evaded them at crucial phases after their triumphant campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. With another ICC event in the form of the 2023 ODI World Cup beginning next month, experts are trying to decode the reasons behind India’s drought on the big stage. In the same vein, Simon Doull recently gave his take on the issue.

The former New Zealand fast bowler feels that Indian players don’t tend to play fearless cricket. Doull believes that the Indian players are too concerned about their stats and what would happen if they fail to perform. However, he acknowledged that there is no lack of talent in the country.

“Fearless cricket is their issue. They don’t play fearless cricket enough. They play statistics-driven cricket and they are too worried about their stats too often. And to me that is the one area I am concerned about their batting side,” Doull said on Sky Sports.

“They have got all the talent and some of the best players if not the best players in the world. But it is about playing fearless cricket at the right time of the tournament and I think that is what had really let them down in the last few World Cups. They don’t go out there and take risks because they are so worried about what might be said or what might be printed or what might someone ask them about their place in the team. That’s the one area I am concerned with,” he added.

India take on Sri Lanka for the battle of Supremacy in the Asian continent on Sunday

Team India are set to face Sri Lanka in the final of the Asia Cup 2023 in Colombo, on Sunday, September 17. For the unversed, the blue brigade sealed their berth for the mega showdown. After this assignment, they will return home to play a three-match ODI series against Australia.

This will be the last official ODI game that India play ahead of their opening World Cup fixture. Notably, the Men in Blue will start their World Cup campaign against Australia, in Chennai, on October 8.