It is nothing less than heartbreak for India to be knocked out of the ICC World Cup 2019 following an 18 run defeat by New Zealand. It’s always said that success has many fathers but failure is an orphan. Thus, naturally, people will come out and ask serious questions to the team management. Why were four wicketkeepers playing? Why was Ambati Rayudu not in the team? Why didn’t Shami play in the semi-final? Why Chahal and why not Kuldeep? Why not Mayank or Kedar in place of Dinesh Karthik? Why wasn’t Dhoni sent in at number four?
What we must realize that the team management was equally eager to win the World Cup. No player nor the captain, nor the team management or even selector ever wanted to see the team to be knocked out of the tournament. They have the responsibility of making a strategy because they are experts of the field. We (that includes commentators and ex-players) can’t just denounce everything that the team has strategized.
If we look at their performance, India did very well and ended being at the top of the table. The only question remaining was: whether India lost the match against England due to lack of intent. But then, the target was huge and thus India perhaps thought to maintain the run-rate even if the match couldn’t be won.
In the semi-final against New Zealand, India was really unfortunate. Luck wasn’t with team India. First, India lost the toss, yet it restricted New Zealand to a below par score. Then rain hindered the game. Had India got at least 20 overs on July 9, they could have won the match because in the second half under the light there wouldn’t have been many swings. Then the target would be 148 in 20 overs means Indian batsmen would have been attacking mode and the Kiwis would have been in defensive mode. Well, what would be the result is somewhat speculation but experts say that if the match could have been completed on July 9 itself, India would have been at an advantage.
The game started again on the morning of July 10. Although New Zealand played some 23 balls, India had to bat in the morning with a swing favouring atmosphere more severe than the previous day due to heavy overnight rain. New Zealand bowlers were one of the best bowling sides in the world. Thus, they took advantage. Rohit and Rahul’s wickets happened because some excellent swing bowling and Virat was unfortunate. The Umpire ruled Virat’s LBW which turned out to need reviewing. Had the Umpire not declared it an out, Virat would have survived because even if Kiwis reviewed it, it would still be an umpire’s call.
But then Pant, Hardik, Dhoni and Jadeja played well and almost reached the target. Jadeja who was really playing an innings of his life, unfortunately, caught long-on while trying to accelerate the run rate. Dhoni who is known for his quick runs also became a victim of Guptill’s excellent run-out.
The bottom line is that India played well but unfortunately was knocked out of the tournament due to a fine bowling attack of the Kiwis. The latter were also supported by luck.
Is New Zealand a better team than India? No. Nine out of ten times, India would have chased that score confidently with many overs left. But then, it’s the World Cup and it is not necessary that the strongest team should always win. In 1983, India wasn’t the strongest team, yet it won. In 1987 and 1992 also, both Australia and Pakistan weren’t teams who deserved to play even in the semi-finals, yet they became champions in those years respectively. Thus, Indian fans shouldn’t read too much into the defeat of the team in the semi-final.
Rather, let’s praise New Zealand for their brave performance and hope for a new, worthy world champion, between the Black Caps and the English, for 2019. We may be a country mad about cricket, but this is an opportunity to display our gentlemanly spirit, which is also associated with the game itself.