‘Focus on cricket, not the noise,’ Mithali tells India ahead of Pakistan clash
Former Indian cricket captain Mithali Raj has advised the women's national team to ignore external noise and focus on their roles ahead of a high-pressure Asia Cup match against Pakistan. India remains the favorite, having dominated the rivalry in T20 cricket.
Why it matters
High-profile sporting rivalries often carry significant psychological pressure, and expert guidance is seen as vital for team performance.
BENGALURU: With a 137-run win over Hong Kong, India sealed their place in the Women’s Asia Cup semifinals with a match to spare. Their final league outing, however, will be their toughest test yet after they brushed aside minnows Thailand and Hong Kong in their opening two games.On Saturday in Dubai, Harmanpreet Kaur and her team take on cross-border rivals Pakistan in what could serve as a dress rehearsal ahead of next week’s semifinal.With India’s middle order still a concern, former India captain Mithali Raj has urged the team to focus on cricket rather than get consumed by the noise surrounding the rivalry.“You prepare for the cricket, not the noise. Understand your role, anticipate what the opposition may do and know how you will respond. We cannot control what people say outside, but we can control our preparation, communication and reaction under pressure.
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