India, the underdogs, bark; the favorites miss the mark

A stroll in the park! That is how India’s win over Pakistan was described. But, that was a warm-up game before the real battle began in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Clubbed in the easiest of groups with Bangladesh and Ireland, the Men in Blue easily crossed the first hurdle, but were left red-faced when pitted with the big teams in the Super 8 stage. The defending champions and the hands-on favorites crashed out, failing to manage even a single win in their 3 Super 8 encounters. Over a billion cricket fanatics were left devastated as their demigods left prayers unanswered, and wishes, resigned.

So, did the team become complacent, or did the burden of expectations and the favorites tag once again get to them?

India first became the World Champions in cricket, ironically in England (the venue of their latest defeat), in 1983. That was the ODI World Cup with 60 overs a side (then, the shortest format of the game). Experts had dismissed their chances even before the final had got underway, as standing in their way to the title was the best team of the past decade, the two-time defending champions, West Indies. But, that did little to dampen the morale of Kapil’s Devils, as their determination bestowed their countrymen with unarguably the biggest happiness and glory in cricket till date.

Cut to 2007, and the Indians were faced with an even bigger challenge going into the inaugural T20 World Cup, the latest fancy of the fans. No master blaster, no God of the off-side, and no wall to protect from the fury of the ball, as the trio of Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid opted out, calling the latest avatar of the sport a young man’s game. Going to South Africa, the expectations from the team were lame, people only praying for their return without shame. But, the motivated young brigade, out to prove everyone wrong, made everyone dance to their tunes and were themselves on a song. The team that earlier got sighs of pity was suddenly the Champion, with the Cup, safely in its kitty.

So people, here’s a lesson learnt: don’t over-burden yourself and your icons, lest you end up with your heart burnt!


Picture Courtesy: www. telegraph.co.uk