‘They don’t play fearless…’ – Simon Doull slams Team India cricketers ahead of Asia Cup 2023 final

Team India will be in action on 17 September 2023 for the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka in Colombo. However, they will look to win this trophy as it will be a great confidence booster for them ahead of the upcoming ODI World Cup in India, starting on 5 October. In this Asia Cup, the Men in Blue lost only one match.

In the group stage, their clash with Pakistan was called off due to rain and then, they defeated Nepal convincingly. In the ‘Super 4’ stage, they registered victories over Pakistan and Sri Lanka. But, their unbeaten run ended with a loss against Bangladesh. Now, ahead of the final, former New Zealand cricketer, Simon Doull slammed Team India cricketers for not playing fearless cricket. 

“They play statistics-driven cricket” – Simon Doull

While speaking to Sky Sports, Doull said: “Fearless cricket is their issue. They don’t play fearless cricket enough. They play statistics-driven cricket and they are too worried about their stats too often. And to me, that is the one area I am concerned about their batting side.”

“They have got all the talent and some of the best players, if not the best players in the world. But it is about playing the fearless cricket at the right time of the tournament and I think that is what had really let them down in the last few World Cups,” he further added. 

The former Kiwi cricketer also claimed that Team India cricketers do not take risks and that is the only thing that worries him ahead of the World Cup. “They don’t go out there and and take risks because they are so worried about what might be said or what might be printed or what might someone ask them about their place in the team. That’s the one area I am concerned with,” Simon Doull concluded. India will look to win their third ODI World Cup this time around as their last triumph came in 2011.