October 3, 2023 – The term “chokers” has been a shadow that loomed large over cricket teams, particularly South African ones, from 1995 to 2015. It described immensely talented squads that consistently stumbled at the final hurdle, failing to secure any major trophies. Ironically, this label has now found a new home with the Indian cricket team, which has struggled in significant multi-nation International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments since their victory in the 2013 Champions Trophy.
India’s cricketing journey took an incredible turn two years before their 2013 Champions Trophy win when they clinched the one-day World Cup. Four years prior to that, in MS Dhoni’s inaugural stint as captain, a star-less India squad triumphed in the inaugural T20 World Cup.
This triumphant streak not only elevated Dhoni to cult status but also showcased India’s wealth of cricketing talent. With the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) exponential growth since its inception in 2008, coupled with players emerging from every corner of the country, India’s ascent in the global cricketing hierarchy appeared unstoppable.
In many ways, this assessment held true. Today, India stands not only as the most influential cricketing nation, capturing nearly 70% of the sport’s global audience, but it also generates roughly 70% of its global revenue. For extended periods, India has dominated the ICC rankings across all formats, asserting its dominance on the cricketing stage.
As we head into the 2023 World Cup, India remains a formidable force in Tests, one-day internationals (ODIs), and T20 matches.
Despite its shortcomings, the Indian cricket system has succeeded in providing top-notch facilities, opportunities for competitive matches, and substantial financial rewards for players at all levels. India now boasts the world’s largest talent pool, with fierce competition among players vying for a spot on the national team consistently driving performance levels higher.
However, despite these accomplishments, India’s inability to secure multi-team tournaments for an extended period has left fans exasperated. Ironically, since 2013, India has often started as favorites in ICC tournaments across formats, only to falter in the knockout stages or the final. Is it due to flawed selection policies, inadequate planning, frequent captain and coach changes, mismanagement of player workloads, or just plain bad luck?
While these factors have likely played a role, the core of the issue likely lies elsewhere. Winning major cricket tournaments isn’t solely about talent; it’s about how quickly players adapt to varying pitches and conditions, how effectively team management strategizes against different opponents, and most crucially, how players cope with pressure on and off the field.
To put it bluntly: How does the Indian team perform under pressure?
With 1.4 billion fans expecting nothing but victory in every match, the pressure can be overwhelming, leading even the best players to lose focus or nerve in crunch situations.
According to Ravi Shastri, former India captain and chief coach, dealing with pressure is more complex in team sports than individual ones. In cricket, every player must perform to near perfection to achieve collective success, or some players must compensate swiftly for those having an off day. “Even a brief lapse in play or one poor selection can lead to disaster,” says Shastri.
For instance, a brief spell of poor play cost India in the 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand when they lost three crucial wickets, including those of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, in the first few overs. Additionally, the exclusion of Ravichandran Ashwin, the top-ranked ICC Test bowler, in the World Test Championship final against Australia, which India lost by 209 runs, was widely criticized as a poor selection decision.
Players must remain strong mentally and be ruthlessly focused. Even minor lapses in concentration at this level can prove fatal, says Shastri.
So, do India have what it takes to win this time around?
In terms of talent, experience, and team balance, the answer is a resounding yes. However, before the Asia Cup, India appeared unsettled, raising questions about key players returning from injuries, selection choices, and the wicketkeeper’s slot.
The Asia Cup helped address some of these concerns, as India secured the title convincingly.
Playing at home offers a significant advantage, given that the past three World Cups were won by host nations. However, it’s far from a guarantee of success, as Australia’s early exit in 1992 and India’s semi-final exits in 1987 and 1996, both as hosts, demonstrate.
In the end, there is no foolproof formula to turn a group of players into champions. While talent is critical, selection, team chemistry, inspiration, ambition, and the ability to handle extreme pressure are equally important.
The cricket world eagerly awaits India’s response to the challenges that lie ahead in the coming weeks. Will they emerge as champions, finally breaking the “chokers” tag, or will the pressure prove too much to handle?
