“Dhoni finishes off in style…a magnificent strike into the crowd…India lift the World Cup after 28 years”, these words by Ravi Shastri still reverberate in the memories of millions of Indian fans. On 2nd April 2011 Indian team rewrote the history books and carved its name in an unforgettable manner. Captain Cool MS Dhoni guided a team of warriors who lived up to the expectations of 1.2 billion people and wrapped the tricolor around the biggest prize in World Cricket.
After 12 years World Cup is back on Indian soil. This time the men in blue will march on under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. This team has different names but the same unwavering passion to bring the lost glory to the nation of a billion hopefuls. Team India in the last couple of months has played a dominating brand of cricket to instil the lost belief in the hearts of Indian cricket die-hards. Rohit Sharma’s men are ready to leave everything on the pitch to become the World Champions and to be called the “Redeem Team.”
Let’s put some light on three reasons why India can lift their third ODI World Cup on their home soil this year.
3. Menace of injury managed
Since Rohit Sharma has taken charge of the Indian team, he has struggled to field “his team” as injuries have manifested his problems. The team has always remained plagued with multiple injuries to several key players. Starting with Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja’s injuries and their exit from the 2022 T20 World Cup side which hampered the prospects of the Indian team in the global tournament played down under. Bumrah’s absence in the bowling department considerably dented its striking abilities and rendered it extremely weak. Usually, the absence of one player does not cost the team too much but when that player is of Bumrah’s calibre it definitely weakens the team. On the other hand, Jadeja’s all-round game was a big miss in the T20 World Cup as he provides a balance to the team and his fielding credentials are second to none.
Moving ahead, there were other significant injuries to KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer. KL Rahul sustained a serious thigh injury in the IPL playing for his franchise Lucknow Super Giants whereas Shreyas Iyer was out of action even before the IPL started due to a back injury. Both these players underwent surgery in order to come back onto the pitch. They completed the rehab and found their place in the Asia Cup Squad.
The return of these key players has significantly boosted the prospects of the Men in Blues in the World Cup. Team management and captain Rohit Sharma would be hoping all these players stay fit throughout the World Cup and take up their responsibilities to the best of their abilities.
2. A solid core takes shape after a long time
Due to injuries at various stages of the calendar team India has played without a full-strength side. Youngsters who have impressed in the domestic circuit and the IPL got opportunities to don the blue jersey. Workload management of senior players who play multiple formats is also one of the prime reasons why the team has not been able to form a solid core of players.
With all the important and senior players coming back into the side the problem of stability appears to have been addressed. Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and Captain Rohit Sharma announced the 17-man team for the Asia Cup. Throughout the Asia Cup, most of the players have got consistent chances to get back into rhythm and almost all the players have grabbed the opportunities with both hands. Few of the players who could not get as many chances in the continental tournament got their share in the ODI series against Australia.
Right before the World Cup Team India looks all settled with every player in form and ready to roar in the ultimate tournament. This settled core gives the Men in Blue a great opportunity to reclaim the world title this year.
1. Team India is firing on all cylinders
There could not have been a better time for each and every player to get back his form and go all guns blazing when they take the field. Almost every player on the Indian side has given remarkable performances in the last couple of months, especially in the Asia Cup and the ODI series against Australia. Right from the opening pair to the bowling unit, every piece of the jigsaw puzzle has fallen into place for India.
Openers Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma had a brilliant run in the Asia Cup. Gill was the highest run-scorer in the tournament with 302 runs in his tally at a stupendous average of 75.50 whereas the skipper scored 194 runs with 3 fifty-plus scores. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul were also in marvelous form with fantastic centuries to their name against arch-rivals Pakistan. In the middle order, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya made some valuable contributions. Whereas, in the bowling department Kuldeep Yadav and Siraj stole the show. Bumrah on his return looked dangerous as well.
Shreyas Iyer due to some minor injury issues could not get too many opportunities in the Asia Cup but in the ODI series against Australia, he also came to the party with a swashbuckling ton in Indore.
The team looks a balanced unit with every player in a great mental space and the camaraderie in the team is commendable as well. So far, all the stars are aligning in the favour of the Men in Blues and now it is the time to bring the third star on the Indian jersey by lifting the World Cup once again. Captain Rohit Sharma is aiming for the top and so are 1.4 billion Indians.