It’s a question that every Indian fan has had since India last won an ICC Trophy back in 2013. In all these years, India has come mighty close to lifting the trophy but failed to do so, in the end. The latest being the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, India was on the brink of achieving glory but Travis Head and Australia had other plans. Despite having a strong team, India seems to fail at the very last moment when it’s all about holding the nerves.
In India, cricket is not just a sport, it’s a religion. Indian fans are the most passionate fans of cricket. Be it a T20 Match or Test Match, India enjoys enormous support not just at home but everywhere they go. So, what’s stopping India from finally laying hands on an ICC Trophy? India has the talent; India has the experience so where does it go wrong?
In the last 11 years, India has played several knockouts but that’s where they seem to falter. In the big games, the Indian team finds a way to lose. From 2014 to 2022, Virat Kohli, the ‘Big Match Player’ has amassed 1141 runs in 27 matches at an average of 81.50 with fourteen 50-plus scores in the ICC T20 World Cup matches. But what about the knockouts? In T20 WC Knockouts, Kohli has averaged 144 in 4 games (2014 Semi-Final and Final and Semi-Finals of 2016 and 2022).
So, who is to blame? Does the opposition play brilliantly or the Indian Team plays below par in the knockouts? Whatever it is, it is haunting the Indian team and fans big time. The Nation loves cricket but the ICC trophies somehow elude the Nation.
What is different this time?
Let’s start with the Batting.
India has the experience of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. With Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya adding to the fore. India also has the No. 1 T20 batsman Suryakumar Yadav. But haven’t all these players been a part of previous tournaments in which India lost? So what’s new? India might have the ’X’ Factor in players like Shivam Dube, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson. Along with others, if these three fire or even two out of these three fire, India would be in a pretty good position. Can these three bring the cup home? That’s a question that only time will tell.
Will Spin Help?
West Indies and the USA seem to offer spin-friendly conditions and India has 4 quality spinners in their arsenal Chahal, Jadeja, Kuldeep and Axar. With two being quality all-rounders, India might have an advantage. Jasprit Bumrah had a fantastic IPL and if he continues the form and Siraj and Co support him, India will be a team to watch out for. The bowling department is none or less the same.
All Rounders’ Role
If Hardik, Jadeja, Axar and Dube manage to put up a show, India will be pretty hard to beat. The All-Rounders’ role has always been crucial and in T20s even more. Two or three out of these at max will play. If they manage to give India two or three wickets and 50-plus runs, India will be pretty happy.
Fielding- A Must
India will need standout performances with its fielders. A moment of brilliance can change the whole momentum of the game. A crucial runout or a good catch can sometimes be the final nail in the coffin or even crack open the opponent. India will have to focus very hard on its fielding. Taking half-chances sometimes defines the winner as they say ‘Catches win matches.’
Last but not least, Holding the nerves
India has to hold their nerves and clinch the game-defining moments to reach and win the final. Be it a magic moment in the field or a special catch, India has to pluck the opportunity with both hands. India is good enough to win the tournament but their performance on a particular day will define the result of the match. With the mindset of ‘Any team can beat any team’, India will have to step on the field and start from scratch to win a particular game and take one game at a time. India seems close to lifting the trophy as always but they will have to prove it this time.