INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Apart from Azharuddin and MS Dhoni, Indian captains have an unflattering record in final games
The 2023 World Cup loss to Australia only reaffirmed this anomalyNEW DELHI: India let go of a golden chance to win the ODI World Cup on
Sunday, losing the final to Australia by six wickets in Ahmedabad
The two teams contesting for the big prize present a study in contrast.While for India, it was yet another lost opportunity despite all
indicators pointing towards them as being the favourites, Australia once again demonstrated their legendary ability of rising to the
rooting for India and now wallow in despair
But India, at least on paper, had the class and talent to be champions
The formbook too was stacked heavily in their favour
Expectation was sky high and hence the feeling of getting let down is equally deep
A look at history, however, tells us that India have underperformed in finals including ODI ones in the last three decades or so
This despite having superstars in the team and the backing of the allpowerful and ultra-rich BCCI
India have often gone into a final as favourites only to come second best
In this period, Mohd Azharuddin and MS Dhoni are the only two Indian captains with a creditable record
Azhar, an easy-going and affable captain whose reputation was deeply harmed by allegations of match-fixing, won 11 finals as skipper out of
famous triumph in the 2002 Natwest final
It was Dhoni who resurrected the fortunes of the team with his clam and astute captaincy and superbly calibrated batting in white-ball
cricket generally and ODIs specifically
Dhoni remains the benchmark for Indian captains as far as winning big trophies are concerned
The fear of losing heavily impairs a team or sportsperson; more so in crunch situations
Champion teams and individuals find a way to conquer this emotion and perform at their best on the big stage
Past failures linger on in the mind
Sometimes, failures of a past generation can also cause a hangover
This Indian side had done more than enough to make one believe it was not only up for a scrap, it had the chutzpah besides high skill, to go
The way Rohit and his bunch steamrolled all opposition was spectacular and awe-inspiring
That brave and riveting approach gave way to a more conservative and diffident style in the final once Rohit was dis - missed
The fear of failure started creeping in, almost stopping the Men in Blue in their tracks
The effervescence one cheered for with such pride and joy through the tournament went missing
A 239 on the Ahmedabad wicket against a ruthless side like Australia was always too few
India had a chance to sneak into the contest when the Aussies lost their third wicket at 47
But the wicket eased out and there was little threat from the bowling
The field placing became defensive as Rohit looked to stop the flow of runs
It was to no avail as the only way India could have won this was by bowling the opponents out
There were no slips when the spinners operated and it seemed that India were hoping that things would happen for them rather than trying to
Of course, credit goes to Australia for outthinking and outplaying India
You give them an opening and they will ransack the chest and run away with the booty
Unfortunately, in the final, India could not play the game which had so enthralled the cricket world
It looked as if the wariness which one identified with many past India sides when they lined up for a finale had come back to haunt them.
