India are putting a whole lot of energy into it, they might just be overdoing it: Ian Healy
In a brilliant display of dominance, the Indian team have left fans worldwide in awe with four consecutive victories in the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup. The recent win against Bangladesh at Pune’s MCA Stadium, where Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten century, marked another milestone in their campaign. However, former Australian wicket-keeper Ian Healy has raised a valid concern – are the Indian players expending too much energy too soon in the tournament?
Healy’s concern centres around the team’s unrelenting intensity and energy in the initial matches. He pointed out that the spirited gestures and over-enthusiastic fielding efforts may lead to an emotional letdown down the road.
“They’re not rolling easily, I’ve got a new fear for India. (Kohli’s) was a good knock, Rohit (Sharma) and Shubman Gill were good at the top too. But if you see the energy that’s going into it (their wins), my fear is that they’re going to have an emotional letdown. They’re putting a whole lot of (energy into it), they might just be overdoing it,” Healy said on SEN Radio.
“The intensity, the gestures in the field when someone bowls a bad ball, the over-enthusiasm of good fielding efforts, all that sort of stuff. The crowd were going off at Pune, and it’s a beautiful-looking ground. But I just worry for that (overdoing it), but gee, they’ve got a great team,” Healy added.
They need all their intensity later in the tournament, Don’t waste it now: Ian Healy
Ian Healy’s advice to the Indian side is to conserve some of their energy for the later stages of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023. With formidable opponents ahead, including the unbeaten New Zealand, he emphasizes the need for the Indian team to ascend to another level without wasting their intensity too early.
“I just worry in the next half a dozen games, to go where they’re going, they need to go to another level. They won’t be playing against Bangladesh and then they need all their intensity (later in the tournament). Don’t waste it now,” the former legendary Australian wicketkeeper concluded.
Meanwhile, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the upcoming clash between India and New Zealand at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, the question on everyone’s mind is whether India can sustain their remarkable performance or if they should be more strategic in managing their energy. Only time will tell if India’s fiery start will lead them to ODI World Cup glory.
