Former Indian legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar believes if the Indian team does not win this T20 World Cup it won’t be for lack of preparation. The team traveled to Australia three weeks prior to their first match against Pakistan.
The Indian team played two practice matches against Western Australia. Subsequently, they played a warm-up match against Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane, which they won by six runs.
Earlier, India defeated Australia by 2-1 in the three-match bilateral series at home and achieved the same result against South Africa. Thus, the Rohit Sharma-led is well prepared and they will be looking to go all the way in the major tournament.
India was knocked out of the Super 12 stage in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup and could not make it to the semifinal stages despite being one of the favorites.
“One thing for sure. If the Indian team does not win this T20 World Cup it won’t be for lack of preparation. Not only have they gone to Australia almost three weeks before their first game of the tournament, they are also playing practice games against good sides that should get them ready for the tournament. The old saying, ‘if you fail to prepare then prepare to fail’ will not apply to this Indian team as, apart from these games in Australia, they also played six T20 matches at home and won four out of those to show that they are tuning in nicely for the big event,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day.
Meanwhile, India has been performing consistently in bilateral series but they haven’t been able to come up with collective efforts in the marque ICC events. Gavaskar feels there is excitement regarding this Indian team despite the absence of key players like Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah.
“India’s performance in the white ball bilaterals has always been good, be it at home or overseas, but it’s in the multilateral events that they have been stumbling. In the past it’s been because they have come cold into the event. But that isn’t the case this time around and that’s why, with a terrific blend of youth and experience, there’s optimism among Indian cricket fans that the Cup should be coming home. Yes, the other teams have also been playing practice games and that should hold them in good stead, but there’s a buzz about this Indian team despite the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja,” he said.
Gavaskar feels a T20 game can change in a matter of deliveries as it is unpredictable. The Little Master believes it is difficult to name a favorite but thinks Australia might have an advantage being the host country.
“The T20 game can turn on its head in a matter of deliveries so the best of teams can flounder and that’s why it’s hard to call any team the favorite. The host country is also the defending champions so they obviously will have the slight edge that familiarity with conditions and pitches gives any home team plus the crowd support. The Indian team is blessed that it gets support anywhere they play and so even overseas they have a tremendous cheer from their fans. That can also be pressure, but then, what is international sport where the best of one country play the best of the other, and what else is that but pressure and more pressure,” said the former India captain.
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