‘It’s a big game, so we’re going to… – Gary Kirsten weighs in on Pakistan mentality ahead of high-octane clash with India

Gary Kirsten. (Source – Getty Images)

The psychological dimensions of cricket and indeed any sport, hold significant importance. Transitioning, particularly following a devastating loss that diverged from initial expectations, presents an even greater challenge in terms of resilience.

Gary Kirsten, the head coach of Pakistan’s limited-overs squad, delved into the same topic, as quoted by Cricbuzz, citing his team’s scenario. The former South African cricketer, reflecting on the unexpected loss to the USA, acknowledged the inherent dissatisfaction in failing to secure victories in cricket matches. However, he emphasized that he did not need to rally his team before their high-profile encounter against India. Kirsten underscored the significance of individual performances in pivotal clashes, such as the India-Pakistan match, which carries substantial stakes. Nevertheless, he stressed that triumph in games of this magnitude ultimately hinges on collective team effort.

“It’s never nice not winning games of cricket for any player. They’re trying their best. It’s never nice. I don’t think I needed to motivate the team for this game. I think the important thing for us is that we operate genuinely as a team. Yes, we need individuals to make good performances, but playing games like this, I think is a real team effort,” stated Kirsten, as quoted by Cricbuzz ahead of the India game.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024: Rohit, Kohli, Hardik open up on playing against Pakistan

We can’t take it back, It’s gone: Gary Kirsten 

The 56-year-old additionally expressed that the upcoming match carried significant weight owing to the stakes involved and the illustrious history of the rivalry between the two teams. However, he emphasized their intention to approach it with the same level of focus as any other game. He also conveyed the team’s collective motivation and conveyed that the recent setback, which occurred against the USA, was regarded as a mere incident of the past, having been duly acknowledged and forgotten by both the team and himself.

“It’s a big game, so we’re going to treat it as any other game. But certainly, give it our best shot. The team’s motivated. I mean, if that’s what you’re questioning, two days ago is forgotten. We can’t take it back. It’s gone. So, move on,” Kirsten added.

Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: ICC proposes 20-day tentative window, Indian Govt unlikely to allow India’s participation in Pakistan

The South African possesses a commendable track record in the international sphere, having clinched the Cricket World Cup 2011 along with India, in addition to overseeing the coaching duties for the South African team from 2011 to 2013, which resulted in numerous triumphs in bilateral series. He would undoubtedly be eager for his team to deliver a strong performance in the imminent fixture, as a failure to do so could potentially subject him to considerable pressure prematurely.