‘We shouldn’t create so much hype….’ – Kapil Dev on Team India’s ODI World Cup 2023 campaign

Team India suffered a heartbreaking and crushing defeat against Australia during the ODI World Cup 2023 final game on November 19 at the iconic Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. Notably, the Men in Blue had a great campaign before the final loss. Rohit Sharma and Co. were unbeaten in the league stage and beat in-form New Zealand in the semi-finals of the marquee event. Meanwhile, former India cricketer Kapil Dev backs Team India and motivates them to focus on upcoming tournaments.

The 1983 ODI World Cup-winning skipper affirms to players to don’t think much about the fans and that they will be heartbroken after the loss. In addition, the former all-rounder feels cricket fans should not make much hype about the game, as one should take sports as a sport only rather than taking it in an emotional way.

“Don’t keep so much hope that people end up with broken hearts. We need to keep a balance. Other teams also came to India to compete in the World Cup. We shouldn’t create so much hype. We need to look at sports as sports only. Whoever plays well on the day, we need to respect that. We are too emotional,” Kapil said on the sidelines of the inaugural tee-off ceremony of the Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Invitational golf tournament in Gurugram.

If they (India) win it feels really good: Kapil Dev

The 63-year-old cricketer further said that one should take the ODI World Cup 2023 loss in a normal way. Moreover, the former middle-order batter accepted that India should have won the final while saying that the final day was for Australia and not for India.

“If they (India) win it feels really good. There are shortcomings which we need to address. It is not that you won’t have shortcomings after a win. What’s most important is to rectify them. They (India) won 10 matches in a row. Is it not enough? We should look at other teams as well. Final day was not ours so be it,” he added further.