New Delhi : After rising to great heights close on the heels of an ignominious defeat in a cricket series against Australia and a tri-series rout, India flattered to deceive in the World Cup Down Under. A team which was mocked at for not being capable of getting any opponent all out in the stipulated 50 overs on foreign soil repeated that breakthrough in all the six World Cup league matches. This kindled hopes that this World Cup team would repeat its performance of the 2011 World Cup when it had romped home a winner.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men that had only four players from the 2011 winning squad (the rest were less experienced campaigners) were apparently gripped by self-doubts as they lost the battle first in their minds and then in the field. The first big blow was when Dhoni lost the toss and hence the psychological advantage. Then came the unblemished century of Steven Smith. Yet, in the middle overs the Indians gave them a fright only to surrender rather tamely when their turn came to bat. As used to happen with Sachin Tendulkar, the cheap dismissal of Virat Kohli demoralized the Indians no end. It was then only a matter of time before the team caved in.
Talented cricketers like Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina surrendered without much of a fight, lacking as they were in self-belief on a pitch which was placid and unmenacing. Despite a crowd that was more Indian than Australian, the Indians showed lack of fighting spirit. Dhoni’s captaincy which was outstanding right through the tournament looked mediocre when it mattered the most. The bowlers by and large gave a good account of themselves but that ‘killer instinct’ was lacking except in the gritty Umesh Yadav who snapped up four wickets. The fielding, which used to let India down in the past, stood up to the challenge well.
All in all, it was a promising though inadequate performance by the Indians and there are many positives that the team can go back with.
It has become so utterly pathetic for Indians to blame all kinds of factors when they lose, and chide the cricketers for their acts of omission and commission. Yet, let us face it, the Australians outclassed us in all departments of the game on that particular day. Unfancied Bangladesh acted like cry babies when they lost to us. We, especially our crowds, cannot do the same with our team when they lost. It is all in the game. While we would have all liked the Indian team to come back with the crown, let us not deny the Aussies their due.
