Overcoming Mental Hurdles: The Key to India's World Cup Success

For Team India in the knockout stages, mental toughness will be more important than skill.

Since the Champions Trophy in 2013, they have encountered entirely different challenges in the semi-finals and finals of ICC competitions, regardless of the format.

It comes down to "executing skills" and "focusing on what you can control," according to head coach Rahul Dravid. But in the crunch, he knows it will come down to more than that.

Could Rohit Sharma's team be hindered by the dread of failing or the heartbreaking recollections of losing the previous edition's semi-final at Old Trafford to the same opponents?

As the mental fitness coach for Germany at the 2014 World Cup and Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team in 2011, Mike Horn has experience helping teams overcome similar challenges.

Similar conditions exist: India is playing well, and New Zealand has advanced to the round of four despite the odds not being in their favor. In the last edition, weather caused the contest to continue into the reserve day.

"The athletes' performance can be impacted by their dread of failing. Understanding that mistakes are among the few things in life you have to pay for—but that they also make you richer—is essential to overcoming this phobia.

"Every error presents a chance for improvement. When players learn to love what they despise, everything in life becomes enjoyable, in my opinion. Accept obstacles as a means of fostering individual and group growth. Throughout the 2011 season, I always made an effort to convey that to the players," Horn told The Telegraph.

He understands that, in India especially, athletes are always being watched, especially during home tournaments.

"Players in India are under a lot of pressure to perform, so it's important to handle it well. "Be like clouds, just flow over and around the obstacles of life" is how I handle things. Remain flexible and practice mindfulness. 'Follow the hope of success instead of the fear of failure,' Horn often told the players.

Expectations can be a hefty burden, but how you handle them matters. I usually advise the athletes to put more emphasis on their own potential and goals than on what other people might anticipate of them. Your objective should be based on what you can imagine rather than what you can see in the moment. Establish a culture of ongoing development."

How simple will it be to get past the psychological obstacle of losing in the knockout stages?

"Having a brain block during important games is a frequent occurrence. Players should be reminded that "either you win or you learn." Reinforce a positive mindset, practice under pressure, and visualize accomplishment. The secret to breaking over mental obstacles is mental toughness and confidence, according to Horn.

What would he say to the cricket players ahead of Wednesday's Wankhede semi-final?

"If I were to give the Indian squad a pep talk, I would stress how important it is to have confidence in oneself and one's talents. I would remind them that they are speaking on behalf of a country that fervently believes in them. Keep your mind on the task, remain flexible, and welcome the difficulties."

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