As the team reflects on their performance and looks towards the future, there is a sense of urgency to address the shortcomings and identify areas for improvement in the upcoming T20 World Cup
India's Virat Kohli (L) walks off the field after defeat in the ICC men's Twenty20 World Cup 2022 semi-final cricket match England and India at The Adelaide Oval in 2022 (Pic: AFP)
India head into the World T20 tournament with more on their mind than simply winning all of its league matches only to falter in the end. For Rohit Sharma and Co., it is a chance to pick up the pieces after a shock World Cup final exit last year and put behind them the 'chokers' tag dangling ominously overhead. There are reasons to be worried, for their most recent ICC trophy triumph dates back to 2013, thanks to MS Dhoni's exemplary leadership skills.
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India's 2022 World Cup campaign, while filled with anticipation and hope, ultimately culminated in disappointment and introspection. Expectations soared to their zenith, as they often are for one of cricket's powerhouse nations, but the journey was fraught with challenges and unfulfilled potential.
Right from the outset, India's batting, typically a source of strength, showed signs of vulnerability. The opening partnership failed to provide the desired platform, leaving the middle order under immense pressure to salvage innings. Despite glimpses of brilliance from individual players, the team struggled to build substantial partnerships or capitalize on momentum.
Furthermore, the absence of key players due to injury and poor form only added to India's woes. Notably, the void left by Jasprit Bumrah's absence in the bowling attack was keenly felt, disrupting the balance and potency of the pace battery. While some emerging talents showed promise, the overall performance of the bowling unit lacked consistency and penetration against quality opposition.
Tactical decisions, mainly selection choices and batting order, came under scrutiny as the tournament progressed. Questions arose regarding the utilization of resources and the team's adaptability to different match situations. The reliance on a conservative approach in batting, particularly evident in crucial encounters, raised concerns about India's ability to evolve with the rapidly changing dynamics of T20 cricket.
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Ultimately, India's journey in the tournament was marred by missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential. Despite flashes of brilliance and individual contributions, they fell short of meeting the lofty expectations. The disappointment of yet another ICC event slipping through their grasp serves as a reminder of the challenges and uncertainties inherent in competitive sport. As the team reflects on their performance and looks towards the future, there is a sense of urgency to address the shortcomings and identify areas for improvement in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Lessons India can learn from their failed T20 World Cup campaign
Over-reliance on Kohli-Suryakumar
India's batting prowess largely hinged upon the formidable duo of Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav. Kohli, yet again, dominated the runs tally, amassing 296 runs at a commendable average of 98.66. However, scrutiny fell upon his strike rate, which stood at 136.40. In contrast, Suryakumar exhibited sheer aggression, smashing 239 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 189.68. Following suit were Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul, contributing 128 runs apiece, albeit slightly trailing the leading duo.
Chahal put on sidelines
Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who clinched the prestigious Purple Cap in IPL 2022, found himself on the sidelines for the entirety of the T20 World Cup. India's preference for Ravichandran Ashwin over him sparked criticism. Chahal managed to secure just six wickets, with three of them coming against Zimbabwe. Interestingly, the leading wicket-taker of the 2022 T20 World Cup was a wrist-spinner, Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka, who scalped an impressive tally of 15 wickets.
Cautious batting did more harm than good
India's cautious batting strategy proved to be their downfall once more in the ICC tournament. Remarkably, their three totals exceeding 170 runs were achieved against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, and Netherlands. However, when facing tougher opposition, India faltered, posting scores of 168/6, 160/6, and 133/9 against England, Pakistan, and South Africa respectively, highlighting the challenges they faced against stronger adversaries.
Openers' failure to capitalise Powerplay
The Indian opening pair of Rohit and KL Rahul struggled to make an impact during the Powerplay overs. Within the initial six overs, India maintained a modest scoring rate of just 6.02 runs per over, faltering with the loss of nine wickets and managing to hit only seven sixes. Skipper Rohit's individual performance was subdued, accumulating a mere 116 runs with a strike rate of 106.42. Meanwhile, Rahul's contributions against Pakistan, Netherlands, South Africa, and England amounted to scores of 4, 9, 9, and 5 respectively, reflecting a challenging phase for the talented batsman.
Pace let us down
India's fast bowling arsenal encountered significant challenges in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, sidelined due to injury during the tournament. Although Arshdeep Singh exhibited glimpses of potential with a tally of 10 wickets, stalwarts like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami struggled to make notable impacts. However, India found solace in Hardik's stellar all-round performance. He contributed significantly with both bat and ball, claiming eight wickets and amassing 128 runs, highlighted by a blazing 33-ball 63 in the semi-final encounter.
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