Why does Kranti Goud ignore the Ind-Pak rivalry?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kranti Goud showcased her talent with a stellar bowling performance.
- India's win against Pakistan reinforces their dominance in women's cricket.
- The importance of mental focus in high-pressure matches.
- Goud's attitude reflects a professional approach to sport.
- Her achievement is a source of pride for her family and the nation.
Colombo, Oct 6 (NationPress) India's 22-year-old bowling prodigy Kranti Goud, who clinched the Player of the Match accolade for her pivotal performance in the Women’s World Cup group encounter against Pakistan, stated that she opted to ignore the chatter surrounding the historic rivalry and instead concentrate entirely on executing her bowling strategies.
In a match where India defended 247 runs, the Indian bowlers were formidable, with Kranti (3-20) and Deepti Sharma (3-45) spearheading the effort to dismiss Pakistan for 159 in just 43 overs. This outcome also signifies India's 12th triumph over Pakistan in this format, propelling them to the top of the points table in the tournament.
"I am not really aware of that because this was my debut match, and honestly, I do not pay attention to all that India-Pakistan narrative. For me, it’s just about focusing on my role - my responsibility is to bowl, and that’s what I do," Kranti mentioned during the post-match press briefing.
Kranti, who had an unremarkable debut at the R Premadasa Stadium back in May, was named Player of the Match at the same venue on Sunday.
"I’m extremely proud. Being awarded Player of the Match today is a significant moment for me and my family. My debut for India was in Sri Lanka, and now I've been recognized as Player of the Match here once more. I’m genuinely very pleased," she shared with the media.
India batted first against Pakistan, achieving 247 runs in their 50 overs, providing their bowlers with ample opportunity. The bowling attack certainly capitalized on this, dismissing their opponents for 159 in 43 overs.
"The batters were finding it challenging to face us. They struggled against the pace, and the ball was swinging in both directions. That’s why we decided to keep the same bowlers on for an extended period.
"When I returned for my second spell, Harmanpreet Kaur, our captain, mentioned, 'it’s an old ball now, let’s remove the slip.' But I told her, 'no, let me bowl with the slip for now — I feel like I can take a wicket here.' And that’s exactly what transpired — I took the second wicket. I had that confidence in myself," she concluded.