Rassie van der Dussen of South Africa addressed pressure concerns before the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final, emphasizing focus on performance despite travel challenges. He downplayed past failures as distractions, acknowledged India’s advantages, and highlighted the team’s familiarity with conditions. Dussen expressed confidence in adaptability, aiming for success in the upcoming match.
In the lead-up to the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final, South African batsman Rassie van der Dussen addressed concerns regarding pressure and travel fatigue after the team’s emphatic victory over England. He acknowledged the challenges of potentially facing India in Dubai but minimized the significance of past failures in ICC tournaments. “At the end of the day, if we win, it’s the first ICC trophy in a while. If we don’t win, it’s just the same as last year and the year before that,” said Dussen, emphasizing a focus on performing well rather than historical pressures.
The journey to the semi-final has been complicated by uncertainties regarding travel logistics. While the team is set to fly to Dubai, it remains unclear if their semi-final opponent will be India or Australia in Lahore. Dussen expressed a pragmatic attitude towards these challenges, stating: “It is what it is. Physically, it’s not that long a flight. We’ll get on the plane and see what happens tomorrow,” indicating a readiness to adapt.
Dussen also recognized the potential advantage India has in playing all their matches in Dubai, admitting, “It’s definitely an advantage. They’ve been in one hotel, one ground, one training facility.” However, he conveyed that both teams would need to leverage their respective circumstances effectively, underscoring a focus on their performance regardless of external factors.
Addressing the “chokers” label historically associated with South Africa in high-stakes games, Dussen firmly stated, “As a team, that doesn’t define us. That’s in the past.” He highlighted a distinction in perceptions of losses among teams, which he believes to be unfair.
Reflecting on the team’s preparation, Dussen attributed their solid performance partly to experience with the conditions in Pakistan, gained through the Pakistan Super League and a recent tri-series. This familiarity has enabled his team to make necessary adjustments to their playing strategies for the varying pitches.
Looking ahead to the semi-final, he noted the differences in pitch conditions between Karachi and Dubai, suggesting that adaptability will be key. He stated: “In Dubai, normally the bowlers are into it a bit more. There’s a bit more seam movement and some spin.” Despite this, Dussen expressed confidence in the team’s capability to perform well, focusing on the upcoming challenges with a positive outlook.
Rassie van der Dussen has confidently addressed the pressures and travel challenges faced by the South African team as they prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final. He emphasized a focus on performance, downplaying the historical context surrounding their past ICC trophy performances. Furthermore, he acknowledged the logistical hurdles and potential advantages of opponents while maintaining a strong belief in team adaptability and resilience as they look to thrive in the tournament ahead.
Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk
