“We want to win every game we play against South Africa,” says Rahul Dravid

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Rahul Dravid said we are not paying attention to the record

Indian cricket team’s first T20I against Proteas on Thursday presents a massive opportunity for the side to set a new world record while India is currently tied with Afghanistan and Romania for the longest T20I winning streak of 12 games.

Indian cricket team’s first T20I against Proteas on Thursday presents a massive opportunity for the side to set a new world record. India is currently tied with Afghanistan and Romania for the longest T20I winning streak of 12 games. 

India’s winning run started in the 2021 T20 World Cup where they defeat Afghanistan, Namibia, and Scotland in successive matches. Under Rohit Sharma, India secured three continuous series against Kiwis, West Indies, and Sri Lanka all with a 3-0 edge. Now, if India can defeat South Africa in the first T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, it will be the side’s 13th win on the trot a new world record.

However, team India head coach Rahul Dravid said that the team is not paying any attention to records and numbers.

“Honestly, we have not thought about the record. We are not paying attention to the record. It is nice to win games. But for me, a lot of this is about not worrying about creating records or numbers. We want to win every game we play. We want to prepare and practice well and get to the field with our tactics right and try executing them. If it happens, it is great,”

Dravid said in a press conference on Tuesday.

“We are up against a strong South African side and that is what makes it exciting for me. It is going to give us a good test. It will give a lot of our youngsters that did not get a chance earlier, a chance to test themselves against a really good side. That is the exciting part for us. If we win, we win. But if we do not, we learn, move to the next game, and continue.”

The Indian players including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested for the upcoming series against South Africa. The young talent Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh have found a place in the squad for the upcoming five-match T20 series, which started on Thursday.

KL Rahul will lead the side in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Hardik Pandya, who lead the IPL franchise Gujarat Titans to IPL glory in their debut seasons, will also come back to the team.

India’s squad: KL Rahul (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (vice-captain)(WK), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Hardik Pandya, Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik

South Africa’s squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorious, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Marco Jansen 

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