10 May,2024 04:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
England`s Captain Jos Buttler (R) shakes hands with India`s Virat Kohli (C) as he celebrates after victory in the ICC men`s Twenty20 World Cup 2022 semi-final cricket match England and India. Pic/AFP
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India enters the World T20 tournament with more than just a desire to win every league match, wary of the haunting memories of their last World Cup final exit and the looming âchokers' label.
For Rohit Sharma and his men, it is an opportunity to mend the broken pieces and shed the weight of past failures. The concerns are valid, their last ICC trophy victory was back in 2013 under MS Dhoni's leadership.
The 2022 World Cup campaign for India, brimming with hope, ended in despair. The anticipation was sky-high, as it often is for cricket giants like India, but the journey was riddled with obstacles and unmet expectations.
From the start, India's batting, usually a stronghold, displayed vulnerability. The opening partnership failed to lay a strong foundation, leaving the middle order under immense pressure. Despite sporadic brilliance from individuals, the team struggled to build substantial partnerships or maintain momentum.
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The absence of key players due to injury and poor form exacerbated India's challenges. Jasprit Bumrah's absence in the bowling attack was particularly felt, disrupting the balance and potency of the pace battery. While some emerging talents showed promise, the bowling unit's overall performance lacked consistency against quality opposition.
Tactical decisions, especially regarding selection and batting order, came under scrutiny as the tournament progressed. Questions arose about resource utilisation and the team's adaptability in different match situations. The conservative approach in batting, especially in crucial matches, raised doubts about India's ability to adapt to the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket.
India's tournament journey was marked by missed opportunities and unrealised potential. Despite flashes of brilliance, they fell short of expectations. The disappointment of another ICC event slipping away serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in cricket. As the team reflects on their performance, there's a pressing need to address shortcomings and prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Below are a few lessons India can learn from their failed T20 World Cup campaign in 2022: