The preparation of the Indian media always exceeds that of the preparation of Team India before any cricketing event. The media and the people are more active than the team itself. Whenever such event like World Cup is in the offing, the media unleashes all its resources to celebrate an Indian win in advance. The Indian media and people are very emotional about their cricket and tend to take reasoning out of equation. The game of cricket is followed like a religion and the mere mortals are celebrated as 'Gods.'
This time Indian team is strongest or probably one of the strongest in the tournament. But the difference between the Team India and the other strong teams is not enough to say that India can easily route their way the World Cup glory.
The strongest teams that were head and shoulder above the rest of the teams in competition were the West Indies in the first three and the Australians in the last three editions. India won the cup in 1983 despite West Indies being a far superior team in the tournament. In 1987, West Indies and Pakistan were the strongest teams, but still relatively lesser Australian team of 1987 lifted the cup. The 1992 edition of the World Cup was one with balance between teams with no noticeable margin between teams when Pakistan emerged the winner. In 1996, South Africa was the strongest team followed by Australia, Pakistan, and India. Sri Lanka defeated a relatively easier team England in the quarter-final before having a bit of luck against India in Semifinal and displaying their best in the Final against Australia to lift the trophy. Sri Lankans were never fancied as World Cup winning material in 1996. A certain Sanath Jaysurya made all the difference. Since then Australia has been the strongest team and dominated all three World Cup.
The point is if the difference between the team is not as huge as in the first couple of editions or the last couple of edition, it could be anyone of the stronger teams in the tournament. In this scenario other factors like toss, pressure, and pitch play a significant role. Such unprecedented enthusiasm and hype from the media and people involved could bring a huge amount of pressure on the Indian team and that could have a telling affect at the crucial moments in the tournament. Before India lost to Sri Lanka in the semi-final of 1996 World Cup, they used to beat them as they would beat Bangladesh now. Toss played an important role in that contest. Similarly too much hype this time could prove detrimental to the cause of the Indian team.
Sigh No More
This time Indian team is strongest or probably one of the strongest in the tournament. But the difference between the Team India and the other strong teams is not enough to say that India can easily route their way the World Cup glory.
The strongest teams that were head and shoulder above the rest of the teams in competition were the West Indies in the first three and the Australians in the last three editions. India won the cup in 1983 despite West Indies being a far superior team in the tournament. In 1987, West Indies and Pakistan were the strongest teams, but still relatively lesser Australian team of 1987 lifted the cup. The 1992 edition of the World Cup was one with balance between teams with no noticeable margin between teams when Pakistan emerged the winner. In 1996, South Africa was the strongest team followed by Australia, Pakistan, and India. Sri Lanka defeated a relatively easier team England in the quarter-final before having a bit of luck against India in Semifinal and displaying their best in the Final against Australia to lift the trophy. Sri Lankans were never fancied as World Cup winning material in 1996. A certain Sanath Jaysurya made all the difference. Since then Australia has been the strongest team and dominated all three World Cup.
The point is if the difference between the team is not as huge as in the first couple of editions or the last couple of edition, it could be anyone of the stronger teams in the tournament. In this scenario other factors like toss, pressure, and pitch play a significant role. Such unprecedented enthusiasm and hype from the media and people involved could bring a huge amount of pressure on the Indian team and that could have a telling affect at the crucial moments in the tournament. Before India lost to Sri Lanka in the semi-final of 1996 World Cup, they used to beat them as they would beat Bangladesh now. Toss played an important role in that contest. Similarly too much hype this time could prove detrimental to the cause of the Indian team.
Sigh No More
No comments:
Post a Comment