Captains’ Media Day
[Ravi Shastri]
I'd now like to introduce the captain who lifted the trophy in 2019, Eoin Morgan.
The trophy is here, the contenders are here, the stage is set, what were your words to Jos Buttler when you handed over the baton?
[Eoin Morgan:]
Yeah, quite simple, don't mess it up! No, not at all.
Jos is an unbelievably well-respected player and a world-class player and leader within his own right. So, when you pass advice on, it's more through lessons that you've learned yourself. And certainly, throughout early days of my captaincy, it was about being yourself and being authentic to that. So, it was very much - be himself, lead the way Jos Buttler leads and not in the way that any other leader would.
[Ravi Shastri:]
Well, Rohit, wearing the blue jersey there's always pressure. You're playing at home.
How are you approaching this?
[Rohit Sharma:]
Yeah, I mean firstly, very grateful to be leading this team into this World Cup. You know, I've seen the history of the World Cup being played and the people who have taken part in this World Cup. So, I'm quite lucky to be leading this team into this World Cup.
It's quite exciting. At the same time, yes, you mentioned about pressure. But all these guys are quite used to going through that pressure, whether it's playing in India or away from India. Pressure is something that is not going to leave a sportsman. As long as you play the sport, the pressure is always going to be there.
So, keep that aside. Focus on job at hand. I know it's very easy to say that, but it's going to be tough, but I'm sure we've prepared really well. And as long as you prepare really well, that gives you a lot of confidence going into any game.
[Ravi Shastri:]
There's a trend over the last three World Cups, teams that have hosted it have won so that must be something at the back of your mind.
[Rohit Sharma:]
Not thinking too much about it honestly. It has happened in the last three editions of the World Cup. But all I can say is we're going to try our best, give our best, and enjoy the tournament. That's all I can say at this point in time, because it's a pretty long tournament, and I do understand that you can't get too far ahead of yourself so it's important for us that we try and focus on one job at a time and then move on from there.
[Eoin Morgan:]
Jos, reigning champions in T20 and ODI cricket. Defending is never easy. The atmosphere up and down India is going to be electric. With that comes pressure but also opportunity. How do you see it?
[Jos Buttler:]
Yeah, the start of a really exciting tournament. I don't see us as defending champions. We're very much in the same boat now as everybody sat here on the eve of the tournament trying to win it. And it's a great privilege to be captaining the country in a World Cup. So, I'm very excited and honoured to be doing that. And we feel ready. We're very excited. We all know India is such a fantastic place to play cricket. And we're really excited about the tournament starting tomorrow.
[Eoin Morgan:]
Absolutely. Kane, I'll come to you. New Zealand's most consistent side when it comes to World Cup finalists in the previous two editions. What is the key or secret to being as consistent as you guys are?
[Kane Williamson:]
Yeah, I think like Jos mentioned, you sort of come to another event and everybody certainly starts from the same position and starts again. You go from tournament to tournament, teams change, opposition, conditions, so you know for us it's very much focusing on the style of cricket that we want to keep committing to and give us the best chance of putting out our best performance. It's been nice to have some enjoyable times and certainly full of different challenges over a number of tournaments that we have been involved in, but we're really excited at the challenges that lie ahead for this one and the differences that that'll bring comparatively to other tournaments.
A great occasion here in India. The sport is just loved by so many, and it's going to be so well-supported as well. So, we're just looking forward to getting involved.
[Ravi Shastri:]
For a second, I thought Eoin was going to remind Kane of 2019 all over again. Never mind. Babar Azam. Superb reception at the airport, how was the hospitality in the first week?
[Babar Azam:]
I think the hospitality was quite nice - we were not expecting this, but I think the way people are responding towards our team, everyone enjoyed it. We are a week in Hyderabad so it is not like we are in India it is like we are home, so we are enjoying and I think it is a golden opportunity to everyone to give us 100% and enjoy the tournament.
[Ravi Shastri:]
Now to Pat Cummins. Pat, from a neutral point of view, you saw what happened the last two times the two teams met in a World Cup. India Pakistan, 90,000 people at MCG, and as a neutral from the outside, there'll be a few more thousands for the game here in a week's time. What are your thoughts from the outside?
[Pat Cummins:]
It's amazing. I don't think there's too many events around the world where you feel like half the world's tuning in to watch and whenever India play Pakistan in a World Cup It seems like one of those moments. So, although you're personally not involved, you feel like you want to watch it and hear about all the commentary and the passion around the game. So, it's going to be great that it's at this stadium. You can have over 100,000 people.
[Ravi Shastri:]
Well, Rohit, India-Pakistan, obviously a big clash that's in a week's time but before that you play two very important matches.
[Rohit Sharma:]
Yeah, Australia and then Afghanistan you know that we start in Chennai on the 8th and we do understand the importance of every game that you play in this tournament because it's a World Cup and everybody, every team would be looking to play their best cricket so you got to be on the top of your game, on top of your planning, and understanding of what you need to do as a team.
So yeah, I think the first two games it's important that we look at the first game in Chennai, understand what we need to do as a team, go and assess the conditions a little bit, and then try and get your best combination. And then it's game time. It's just about going there and executing your skills, executing what you prepared for all this time and having trust and belief in whatever you do because you know it's quite challenging when you play such a format where you know you have to play 11 games and you have to be on top of your game all the time. So, it's important that you break down and then focus on one game at a time because it can be quite draining. So, it's important that you try and stay fresh so that you're able to make those decisions on the field wisely.
[Eoin Morgan:]
Temba, expectations are always high when it comes to South Africa. How are you guys gearing up?
[Temba Bavuma:]
Yeah, I think the boys are, well we are quite excited for the challenge for the next coming weeks. The guys obviously enjoy coming to India and experiencing everything about the cricket, as well as the culture. I think as a team, there's a quiet confidence about the guys who've been playing some good cricket. And we've kind of enjoyed going out and trying to express ourselves. So, I guess there will be an opportunity for us to do that over the coming weeks and that's exactly what we'll be looking forward to.
[Ravi Shastri:]
Hashmatullah, you're leading in your first World Cup. Rashid Khan was quoted in the media saying that this is one of the strongest and fittest Afghanistan teams. What do you think are your strengths?
[Hashmatullah Shahidi:]
Our main strength is like in the spin department, but I believe we have worked very hard ove the last couple of years. And we have more strength in batting also. And we did very good in all departments in the past. So, we will try our best here.
[Ravi Shastri:]
Well, Scott, going toe to toe with the best in the world, you've had a great run right through the Qualifiers, coming up here. There can't be a better feeling than that.
[Scott Edwards:]
Yeah, it's obviously a pretty tricky tournament, the Qualifiers especially, so really proud of how the boys went about that. And, yeah, we take a lot of confidence in the way we played there and, you know, hopefully bring that into this tournament.
[Eoin Morgan:]
And I'll have to ask Pat Cummins this. Your first ODI World Cup as captain, you lead a country that has a great record at World Cups. What is it about Australians and ODI World Cups? They just seem to have the knack.
[Pat Cummins:]
Yeah, I can't take too much credit for many of them. There's a couple of the boys that were there in 2015, which obviously gives us confidence. But yeah, I don't know. I think we had a really strong year in the early 2000s. I think one day cricket is a format that's really suited Australian teams of the past. Not only taking the game on with the batting and having some good quick bowlers, but even in the field, that early kind of 2000s era, I grew up watching. Yeah, they were amazing, really athletic. So hopefully we can carry it on. It's a pretty good history we've had in World Cups. So hopefully another one.
[Ravi Shastri:]
Well, Dasun, you've come through the Qualifiers. You've had a terrific run, a 13-match winning streak. Sri Lanka has gone through tough times but when you look at your ICC record it's very very good. What does this mean to your people?
[Dasun Shanaka:]
It’s exciting times for us we have been struggling a lot in the recent past with injuries but at the same time we have a good record. You know, as a group, we are looking forward to the World Cup and everyone wants to make a statement that we are there to perform well in this tournament.
[Eoin Morgan:]
Shakib, no other current player has played more World Cups than you. Coincidentally, the last World Cup in India, you were captain. How are Bangladesh preparing for this edition?
[Shakib Al Hasan:]
Yeah, I thought we prepared well. If we talk about the last four years since the 2009 World Cup and 2019 World Cup, we are probably the third or fourth team in the qualifiers point system. So, we have done really well as a group. Now it's time for us to put on a good show in this World Cup and I think our team is ready and also the country is expecting a little more than what we did previously.
[Ravi Shastri:]
Eoin and Jos, 2015 was not quite the World Cup you wanted, but since then you've started a white ball revolution and it started with you Eoin and Jos is carrying on the legacy so I want to know your thoughts behind it - how it started and how do you think the team's carrying on with that?
[Eoin Morgan:]
I think to start with it must be said we hit rock-bottom before we could do anything. 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand was as bad as it gets and when you consider England white ball cricket probably since 1992 it's had some really bad times but this was the worst of it. And with any bad situation, always comes a great opportunity. And I was very fortunate to be kept on as captain after that, and Andrew Strauss was appointed as managing director. So, coming in with confidence from the top to continue on as captain, but also being empowered to make decisions and take on responsibility and take the team in a direction that I thought was the right way was certainly something that I fed off for a long time. And it was an unbelievable time, certainly for me from that period until 2015 to our journey to the final in 2019 that I'll always cherish.
[Ravi Shastri:]
And, Jos you carrying forward the mantra, you think the boys are all in it together?
[Jos Butler:]
Yeah, absolutely. Now the team's been mainly together for a long time, since 2015, since the start of that revolution that you mentioned. And I think you see it right through the game now in England that the young players coming through all play in a certain way and are determined to carry on that style of play. And I think we know it gives us the best chance of success. We'll get it wrong at times, but we've made peace with that and it's something we want to continue to strive to do to keep pushing the boundaries. Other teams will push you and move it on further, So we always want to try and be at the head of that curve as well.
[Eoin Morgan:]
Scott, your first game up against Pakistan. Difficult start to the campaign, but one you must be looking forward to.
[Scott Edwards:]
Yeah, absolutely. I think all games in this tournament are going to be tricky. But, yeah, obviously Pakistan's a very good side. For us, we're just excited to get this tournament going. That's against Pakistan in Hyderabad.
[Ravi Shastri:]
Babar, what do you think is Pakistan's biggest strength?
[Babar Azam:]
I think our strength is bowling. But as we know, we are playing last three years together. Most of the boys are the same. So, I think our strength is bowling.
[Ravi Shastri:]
Well, Shakib, you've been one of the premier all-rounders in world cricket across formats for almost a decade. Does that put extra pressure on you as a captain and player?
[Shakib Al Hasan:]
No, not really. I think it always inspired me to do better. Personally, I never looked at any stats. It's as long as I'm contributing for the team - the team comes first. That that's the motto throughout my career and that's how I want to go about it.
[Ravi Shastri:]
Well, Hashmatullah when you play in India you know there's a lot of love, there's big support for you, you've got a terrific spin attack. Talk us through that.
[Hashmatullah Shahidi:]
Yeah, as you said that we will have more crowd and more support. We are expecting the same that people will come there and support us in the stadium. And also, about the spinners, like we have very good quality spinners and the conditions are suitable for us. Also with the batting, I believe in this World Cup we will give a statement about batting that we can do very good - play very good cricket in batting also.
[Eoin Morgan:]
Rohit - now you've had excellent preparation in the leadup to this World Cup and you know, sitting from the outside, the only thing that can hamper would be the rain affected games. Does that affect your preparation in any way?
[Rohit Sharma:]
No, not really. I mean we were happy to get those days off. Looking at the heat and stuff like that, I've been talking about it. We've been playing a lot of cricket of late. We played Asia Cup; we played about four games there. Then we played three games against Australia. So that gives us an understanding of where everyone's at and what we need to do as a team as well. So, I mean in hindsight yes, I would have loved to have played those two games but we can't really do too much with the weather like that. Apart from travelling from one part of India to another part of India, you know, there is nothing much we could have done but overall, you know, quite happy with how we've come into this tournament, playing a lot of games, playing some good cricket as well. So yeah, I mean, guys are looking really good at this point in time.
[Eoin Morgan:]
Yeah, Temba, I'll come to you. South Africa has a lot of experienced players in your squad who have played in this country. How much of an advantage do you think that is?
[Temba Bavuma:]
Yeah, I think that's something that's relevant to all the teams. A lot of the teams have guys who play in India, who've done well in India. So, I wouldn't really say it's an advantage for us. I think all really, we can do is the guys who have that experience and knowledge, they can share it amongst the team or use it in terms of, you know, our strategies, our plans. But I wouldn't really say it's an advantage unique to us as a team.
[Ravi Shastri:]
Well, Dasun, your first match is against South Africa. Now that's a pretty tough match. Are you happy with the preparations?
[Dasun Shanaka:]
Of course, see they are a team that peaks at the right time as I think. So yeah, But the preparation has been done. I think Maheesh [Theekshana] has joined the camp as well. So yeah, we have got good plans ahead.
[Ravi Shastri:]
Kane, you suffered an injury here on this very ground six months ago. And the recovery is nothing short of a miracle. And seeing you back the way you did in those practice matches, it's as if there was no injury in that period at all. It must have been frustrating, but you must be happy to be back.
[Kane Williamson:]
Yeah, I mean, obviously injuries are not something that you want to have to go through and all the rehab and bits and pieces that come with it. But I've been fortunate really to have recovered reasonably well and just really excited to have been named in the squad and be sitting here now and excited at the prospect of playing in another World Cup and leading my team as well. So yeah, there's still a little bit of work to get through, but it was really good to get back out in the park in some of those warm-up games and do a little bit of time in the field. Yeah, it was nice to do that after some time on the sidelines.
[Ravi Shastri:]
Well, Jos, you've got two back-to-back white ball trophies in the cabinet. What do you think is one of England's biggest strengths chasing this third title on the trot?
[Jos Buttler:]
Yeah, I think first and foremost, we've got some good players, which is a good place to be. You need good teams, you need guys with experience and a bit of X-factor, and I think we certainly have that. Mainly, I'd say that experience is something that's going to hold us in good stead. We've been through those tournaments with both ups and downs along the way. This is a long tournament and we would sure be challenged in different scenarios and situations, both on the field and off it as well. So, I think we've been through most things as a team. And we can look back at those as reference points as to how to maybe handle them when they come up in the weeks that come. But it's always about creating something new. You know, you can't recreate the past. You know, it gives us a nice cushion of some certainty that we've been in those situations, but it's all about the start of a new journey and creating something new that starts tomorrow.
[Eoin Morgan:]
Pat, you've a squad littered with all-rounders. How difficult is it to get your preparation right in giving everybody a little bit of game time here and there?
[Pat Cummins:]
Yeah, I think throw some injuries into there as well. Yeah, made a little bit tougher but the good thing is we've played plenty of games over in South Africa, against India and even these warm-up games. So, it feels like it's all come together in the last week or so. Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, a few others have just kind of come in and are now absolutely game ready. So, yeah, it's I think ODI, you need a few all-rounders. And yeah, I feel pretty happy with where everyone's placed at the moment.
[Ravi Shastri:]
Yes, one last question from me before I open the floor to the members of the media. Rohit, as host of the World Cup, your message to this league of extraordinary gentlemen sitting alongside you?
[Rohit Sharma:]
Yeah, I mean, I said it at the start, you know, every leader sitting here wants to achieve really, really something special for their country. And it is something which is very highly prized. 50 over World Cup is something that I've always dreamt of, you know, growing up as a child and I'm sure it's the same for all the guys sitting here as well. One thing I can assure, which I'm pretty sure everyone knows about it, that people are going to love this tournament here. The stadiums are going to be jam-packed because you know people here in India love their cricket as much as they love their team but they love their cricket as well. But yeah, rest assured it's going to be a great tournament.
[Ravi Shastri:]
Before we ask the members of the media to ask their questions to the captains, we've got some very special guests who have questions for the captains. The ICC has partnered with UNICEF to use Cricket World Cup as a platform to improve the lives of children around the world and promote gender equity. With us today, we have two junior UNICEF ambassadors, Partha, and Amar, who are both passionate about their cricket, to ask the first two questions.
[Partha:]
What are the most important leadership skill you need to develop to be a successful captain? Is there anything you have had to work on?
[Rohit Sharma:]
Yeah, I have had to work on a lot of things. I think firstly, being the leader, the first thing is that you have got to understand your teammates, you have got to understand their strengths, their weaknesses and then give them that freedom to go and play and express. Because I believe that if the players have that superb platform without any pressure, without any burden, you know, they can just come out and play the way they want to play. So, I think our job, you know, is to make sure that we lay that platform for them and then it's all theirs to go out there and play the game they want to.
[Amar:]
Children across India and the world will be glued to watching World Cup. Do you think as player you have a platform to inspire positive change and help those less fortunate, how can cricket and sport create a better future for average children?
[Pat Cummins:]
Thanks for that question. I know when I was a child growing up, I absolutely idolised sports people and cricketers in particular, watching them on TV. And I looked up to them and wanted to be like them and emulate what they were doing. So, I think that's a really awesome opportunity that we have every time we step out on the field. And I think it's really important that we play the game in the right spirit. And even outside of cricket, we get so many wonderful opportunities. So, if we can use that platform to help others, especially children that might be up against it, to help them out. I think it's really important we do so.
[Reporter:]
My question is to Babar Azam, in 10 days’ time, you'll be playing India. So, are you all excited about that clash and how are the preparations going for that match?
[Babar Azam:]
Yes, we are very excited because we have come here for the first time. And before the 14th match, we have two matches, so we are trying to go match to match and focus on each day. We always try to execute our plans. Yes, at the same time, we are excited about India and Pakistan as it always is a big match, so everyone is waiting for that match. So, we are also excited.
[Reporter:]
Hi. The topic of pressure, it kept coming in the discussion we had. So, my question is to all the captains, especially those from the subcontinent and Jos as captain of the title defending side.
What is one thing that you are doing in your team to keep that pressure under check, to block out that pressure, not reading newspapers, staying of social media? What is that one thing that you are doing to check pressure?
[Jos Butler:]
Yeah, I think As Rohit mentioned earlier, there's always a level of expectation and pressure that comes naturally with representing your country in a World Cup and I think the one thing I always try and remind people is to have a level of acceptance that, that is there. You know, that's why the room is so full. People have an interest, especially here in India, where cricket is revered more than anywhere else in the world. But you should enjoy that, accept that. I'm a fan of other sports as well and know what it's like to be a fan watching as well and wanting your team to do so well.
So, we keep that very much as part of something that is there and we accept them and we look after our own environment and our own dressing room to take pressure away from players and allow them to have fun and express themselves on the field.
[Reporter:]
My question is to Babar.
Babar, Ravi Bhai spoke about hospitality, Rohit talked about packed stadiums. Shoaib Akhtar said, when you will step on the field, you will be alone with your team. No one will be with you. Since you have come to Hyderabad, and the journey to Hyderabad and the journey ahead, what were your and your team's emotions? Can you talk about that?
[Babar Azam:]
To be honest, we heard the same thing. But since we came to Hyderabad, the hospitality we got, the way people welcomed us, from the airport to the hotel, the crowd in the ground and in the last match, we liked it a lot. It would have been better if we had fans from our side. We will try to get such support in every match, in every stadium, in every match.
So, inshallah, looking forward to that.
[Ravi Shastri:]
One, I'll just interrupt here. Babar, how was the biryani?
[Babar Azam:]
I’ve already said this a hundred times. It was quite good. I heard that the biryani in Hyderabad is good. So, I ate it and liked it.
[Reporter:]
Rohit, the question to Rohit. Yeah. Is this the biggest challenge of your career? What is the challenge? Is the home factor, Pakistan, the World Cup and when you see all this, what do you feel?
[Rohit Sharma:]
I know what's at stake, and so do the team members, the guys who are part of this team also know what's at stake. So, for us, it's just about, you know, taking everything out now and just focusing on what we want to do as a team. Not worry about the expectations because that's always going to be there. Not worry about who we're playing and not worry about what is happening elsewhere. Because it's time now for us to just, you know, be secluded a little bit, and then focus on what we want to do as a team.
[Reporter:]
Last World Cup final was between New Zealand and England. There was a tie, a super over, but still a tie was made and then after England was declared the winner. The way England was declared the winner, they could have declared two teams as winners. What do you think about this? How should it be done?
[Rohit Sharma:]
That’s not my job sir – to declare who won.
[Reporter:]
Hi, my question is to all of the captains. In this era of Premier Leagues and T20s and shorter version of the game, is the 50-over World Cup still the pinnacle event of cricket?
[Kane Williamson:]
Yeah, I mean, I think every four years, even though with the introduction of all the T20 competitions, T20 World Cups, they're still very much major events, the World Test Championship as well, but I still think the ODI World Cup, I don't know if everybody else shares that same opinion, but it's definitely one of the top events that we can play and be involved in.
[Reporter:]
Babar, except all the captains and teams playing in this World Cup, except Pakistan, I think all the teams and players have the experience of playing in IPL. They have the experience of soaking the pressure. But Pakistan will play on Indian soil after 5-6 years. So, are you ready for that pressure?
[Babar Azam:]
I think there is no pressure, the conditions here are similar to Pakistan and Asian conditions. It’s been one week for us and we’ve played some practice and warm up matches, there is no difference. The boundaries are small. There is no margin for the bowlers. If the bowling is a little bit off, the batsman utilizes it. So, there will be high scores. You will have to play accordingly. But we will try to apply our best on the day and execute our best game on the day.
[Reporter:]
Hello, my question is for Rohit. I only arrived in India yesterday and outside the stadium, haven't seen much of a sign there's a World Cup happening at all. What is your sense of the level of excitement in the country as a whole about this World Cup?
[Rohit Sharma:]
Everyone's quite excited. Even before we got into this warm-up games, like a month back, every time we were traveling in India the talks were all about the World Cup.
And it is not unusual in India It is quite usual and it is quite common that you know every any big event that is supposed to happen in the country people get really excited and cricket being the biggest sport in India I'm not surprised with the excitement that people have and it is not spread in one or two cities it is spread across you know the entire country anywhere you go you knowthe talk is about the World Cup. And people are excited. And obviously, it's happening after 12 years in India. So, all the more reason for people to be excited and enjoy the tournament.
[Reporter:]
Kane, after the 2019 debacle, have you moved on or does that still rankle?
[Kane Williamson:]
Yeah, we're here now at another competition which is really exciting. I mean, 2019 was an amazing tournament. As a side, there was a lot of fond memories and we had a huge amount of fun as well and we're looking forward to what this one brings and it'll be different in so many ways but we're really excited at the challenges that lie ahead and starting again at another World Cup.