IT IS NOT TIME TO REPENT.

AFTER ONE DAY WORLD CUP FINAL 2023

SARASIJ MAJUMDER

The ODI WC Final loss vs Australia is the latest chapter in what has turned out to be a long run of heartbreaks for Team India in ICC event knockout matches.

The last time India won an ICC Final tournament was in 2013, under Mr. Dhoni of India. It was  Champion’s Trophy.

Since then, India lost 9 ICC knock out tournament on trot, in Semi-final, or Final.

Last is on LAST SUNDAY--19-11-23.

The Heroics of Virat, Rahul, Shami, Bhumra , Rohit--- all became a big ZERO, when it mattered most.

SEE THE TABLE BELOW:--

The trend clearly suggests that while India have played good in the initial stages—gets bogged down when the CHIPS ARE DRAWN, and Boys in the TEAM were segregated from Men.

Australia, on the other hand, lost their opening two games at the start of the World Cup and then won seven in a TROT to enter the semifinals. And then won the most important TWO KNOCKOUT matches. In one match, a totally fatigued, cramped Maxwell saw through the requirement of Team, batting on ONE LEG, at the last phase of Innings.

Remember the innings of KAPIL DEV, 175 not out against ZIMBABWAY in 1983.

Remember Dhoni—who promoted himself in the batting order to see through ODI  WORLD CUP in 2011.

Remember Yuvraj, Kaif, Raina… they fought with their last drop of blood, when required.

Australia won the Toss and put INDIA TO BAT—that itself was a very confidant move. That is what Sourav did on 2003. But we failed to do what Australia did then. The GHOST of 2003 is still on our back.

Where actually we LOST THE PLOT?

1.0 Rohit played like an opener, but not like responsible Captain. He should have played like opener HEAD of Australia after he got the start. He is not doing that, and changing GEAR, after first 10 over. And holed out playing a rank bad shot to a match wining catch.

2.0 Kohli, after scoring 50, perhaps got carried away, and played a slow inswinger too fast, on impulse, bringing the ball edged into stumps.

3.0 Rahul—continued with good intent, but scoring rate was coming down alarmingly, and at other end, procession to Dressing Room continued.

4.0 Clearly—the younger generation is not yet ready to play a highly TENSE game at a top level. It is the failure of COACH.

5.0 Defending this total of 240 was never easy, and need both, LUCK, and indiscretion by key players of the opposition team. Those didn’t happen. Shami, and Bhumra were also not at their best, and were leaking runs. Spinners are not at fault, and the pitch was also  not helping spinners, and they are not MASTERS in that art.

6.0 A photo was available in social media where Aussi Captain , during the inspection of pitch is seen took photo of the pitch. Is this permitted? He must have blown it up, and studied grain by grain. Moreover-- it maybe sent to a pitch specialist, and his opinion obtained. The captaincy and so effective bowling changes may not be pure inspirational, if that is true.

7.0 Last, but not the least-- Hardik might have made a difference. Bad luck-- he is nursing injury. So is Rishav. The young players whom India has invested in last couple of years, and who are battle hard, were absent due to injury.

NOW, TEAM INDIA, FORGET LAST SUNDAY.

India is a team of champions; Australia is a champion team. There is difference, which need to be addressed.

NOW IS THE TIME TO GO TO DRAWING BOARD AND GET READY FOR CHAMPION’S TROPHY.

Jay Hind.