"Build convictions and beliefs" - Robin Uthappa on how Bangladesh can become a champion team
Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa recently discussed what Bangladesh require to change for them to be a force to be reckoned with in world cricket. He opined that the team's mindset needed an overhaul for them to succeed.
Citing the example of the army, Uthappa mentioned that Bangladesh should look to build a unit and stay away from the outside noise. Emphasizing the importance of building strong beliefs, here's what he said on Ravichandran Ashwin's YouTube channel:
"In the army, everyone doesn't really care about the bigger picture. Their first focus is their unit. That one unit, say the regiment. That one regiment. Their focus is that, no matter what is happening outside of this regiment, we won't focus. We will give it a macroscopic point of view. But when it comes to our regiment and our unit, it is microscopic."
"And we will not allow anyone to come into this unit. If they can build that kind of mindset where they protect themselves from the outside noise and focus and build convictions and beliefs within that group that make them and everyone inside that group believes that we are world champions." he added
Bangladesh secured three wins out of their four group-stage matches at the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup. However, they have had a poor start to the Super 8 round, suffering a 28-run loss (DLS method) to Australia.
"Bangladesh has to do something like that" - Robin Uthappa on India's 1983 World Cup triumph
Robin Uthappa said that not many expected the Indian team to lift the World Cup trophy in 1983, but the players had the belief that they could go the distance.
He suggested that Bangladesh also need a similar monumental victory that would make the main contending team. Highlighting that the side have enough potential to turn things around, Uthappa said:
"Even in the 1980s, when we actually first won the World Cup, only the team believed that we would win the World Cup. It was out of that conviction that they made everyone start believing in the team.
"Now, Bangladesh has to do something like that and win a championship that makes people believe in it. Okay, this is a contending nation. That belief hasn't come yet. And that has to start from within."
He added:
"It's not like they don't have the potential. Actually, they do have the potential. The fast bowlers are there. There are some really wily fast bowlers and medium pacers. They have some express fast bowlers too."
Bangladesh will now take on India in the Super 8 round of the 2024 T20 World Cup in Antigua on Saturday, June 22.