Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has predicted that India will end the ICC events jinx sooner rather than later. In the last decade, India has consistently qualified for the knockout stages of major ICC events but they have failed to cross the final hurdle.
The Men in Blue recently lost the ODI World Cup final against Australia after dominating throughout the tournament in the group stages. India last won a major ICC trophy back in 2013 when MS Dhoni led the team to glory in the Champions Trophy.
Since then India has made it to the final of 2014 T20 World Cup, 2015 ODI World Cup semifinal, 2016 T20 World Cup semifinal, 2017 Champions Trophy final, 2019 ODI World Cup semifinal, 2021 ICC Test Championship final, 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal, 2023 ICC Test Championship final but have not got over the line.
India has failed to come up with a collective effort in the crunch situations of the big matches and it has led to their downfall.
“What I learned in those 30 years, 40 years being part of the game before I went into the, uh, team as a coach was, you got to get some enjoyment when you play the game. It can’t be a desk job from 9 to 6 where you feel the whole burden of the world on your shoulders. You’re playing in the sun, you’re playing sport. Get those buttons open and get out and play and enjoy it. That’s the only way you can express yourself. And I’m glad this team and they’ve been doing it, you know. Unfortunately, they couldn’t win the World Cup, but the cricket and the brand of cricket played like Farook mentioned. It was great to watch. Great to commentate on. The time will come sooner rather than later,” said Shastri while speaking at the ceremony on Wednesday, where he got the Lifetime Achievement award from BCCI.
India will look to come up with a collective effort in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. The Men in Blue will begin their World Cup campaign against Ireland on 5th June at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York.
