World Cup 2023: 'They are too worried about their stats,' Simon Doull on India's ICC trophy drought

Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull felt that India were playing “stats-driven” cricket and not playing a “fearless” brand of cricket were what has hurt the Men in Blue’s hopes in the last few World Cups. India last won a major ICC trophy a decade ago, when under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, India won Champions Trophy back in 2013. India have reached the final of the Asia Cup, where they will face Sri Lanka on Sunday. IND vs BAN: Shardul Thakur shines with three-fer, Tilak Varma, SKY flop with bat Despite falling short of ending their ICC trophy drought on numerous occasions, India are one of the favourites to lift the ODI World Cup this year. “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,” he told Sky Sports. Doull also said that India are often calculated and do not adopt a fearless approach in crucial situations and that, this issue had plagued them in recent ICC events. He acknowledged their abundant talent and some of the world’s finest players. Doull said that Indian cricketers look far too worried about what will be written or said in the media and whether or not, their position in the side will be questioned. “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 added. India reached the final of the Asia Cup with a 41-run win over Sri Lanka in the Super Fours. Shubman Gill is gradually retaining his touch, while Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have also looked good. Kuldeep Yadav, with nine wickets, has been India’s most impressive bowler in the Asia Cup so far. India begin their World Cup campaign against Australia in Chennai on 8 October. They will take on Pakistan in Ahmedabad on 14 October.