'Just continue doing what you have done' - Irfan Pathan and Shane Watson's advice for India ahead of semi-final

Having nine wins in nine matches under their belt, team India have cruised through the league stage, to enter the semi-finals as table toppers. India’s challenge in the semi-finals would be to get past New Zealand, who have given the Indians disappointing memories from previous meetings in ICC knockouts.

Previewing the upcoming blockbuster semi-final clash cricketing legends Irfan Pathan, Matthew Hayden and Shane Watson spoke exclusively to the Star Sports show “Match Point”. The cricket experts analysed if team India must make any changes, and also commented on if this Indian team can break the semi-final jinx and go all the way to win the World Cup.

Pathan analysed if team India must make any changes to their playing 11: “They don’t have do anything else. India have to just keep doing what they are doing at the moment, especially what they did in the league stages. They are performing well with the new ball when they are bowling, and they are also trying to target certain bowlers while they are batting, specially upfront where Rohit Sharma going really well, and if Shubman Gill gains back his consistent form, then this team is unbeatable.”

Watson commented on if this Indian team had any weakness, he said; “India just need to continue to play the cricket they have, nothing is different if it’s a knockout game or whether it’s a big game in the World Cup. If they continue to play as well as they are, and all the players contributing like they are, playing with that fearless mindset be it with the ball, or the bat or in the field and, with the all-round package India have got as team, I don’t see any chinks in their armour what so ever. Look the team that beats India whether it’s the semi-final or the final, they’ll have to play out their skins because of the calibre of their players and they form they are in.”

Hayden spoke on if this Indian team can break the semi-final jinx and go all the way to win the World Cup, he said: “Well look, India is the in-form side. They’ve gone a winning run like the Australian team did in 2003 and 2007. When it comes to semi-finals and finals, obviously it’s a two-horse race across a four-horse race and obviously India have everything covered in terms of their batting skills and bowling skills and the fielding has been outstanding. They’ve had great efficiency in all of those three departments and their bowling has been outstanding as well. There’s no reason why they can’t break the jinx.”