More than skills it will be a mental warfare for Team India in the knockouts.

The semi-finals and finals have been a different beast altogether for them in ICC tournaments, across formats, since the Champions Trophy in 2013.

Head coach Rahul Dravid believes it is a matter of “executing skills” and “focusing on what you can control”. But he is aware that it will come to more than that in the big moments.

Will it be the fear of losing or the tragic memories of the last edition’s semi-final at Old Trafford against the same opponents that could weigh down Rohit Sharma’s men?

Mental conditioning coach Mike Horn knows a thing or two about overcoming such obstacles, having worked with Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side in 2011 and Germany in the 2014 football World Cup during their successful campaigns.

The circumstances are similar in nature with India on a roll while New Zealand have made the last-four stage against the run of play. The match had spilled over onto the reserve day because of rain in the last edition.

"The fear of failure can indeed affect the players' performance. To overcome this fear, it's vital to recognise that mistakes are one of the only things in life you pay for, but you actually become richer.

"Every mistake is an opportunity for growth. I encourage players to learn to love what they hate, and everything in life becomes a pleasure. Embrace challenges as they lead to personal and team development. That is something I always tried to tell the players during the 2011 campaign," Horn told The Telegraph.

He realises that the players are constantly under scrutiny in India and more so in a home tournament.

"In India, players face tremendous pressure to perform, and it's essential to cope with it positively. My approach is to 'Be like clouds, just flow over and around the obstacles of life.' Stay adaptable and use mindful techniques. I often tell the players to 'follow the hope of success instead of the fear of failure,"' Horn said.

"The burden of expectations can be heavy, but it's about how you approach it... I always tell the players, 'focus on your own aspirations and capabilities, rather than external expectations. Set your goal by what you cannot see but can imagine, not by every passing light. Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement."'

But will the mental block of losing in the knockouts be easy to overcome?

"Facing a mental block in critical matches is a common challenge. I'd remind players that 'either you win or you learn'. Visualise success, practice under pressure, and reinforce a positive mindset. Confidence and mental resilience are key to overcoming mental barriers," said Horn.

What would be his message to the cricketers before Wednesday's semi-final at the Wankhede?

"If I were to offer a pep talk to the Indian team, I would emphasise the importance of belief in themselves and their abilities. I would remind them that they are representing a nation that passionately supports them. Focus on the process, stay adaptable and embrace the challenges."