An ICC TROPHY DROUGHT
“The never-ending wait for India & Captain Virat Kohli“
International cricket council is the world governing body of cricket. ICC cricket tournament is primarily three trophies :-
● ICC World Test Championship
● ICC World Cup
● ICC t20 World Cup
INDIAN CRICKET
India is the country of sports, a country that has produced great cricketers and sports personalities, where cricket is not a sport but a religion and players like Sachin Tendulkar are Worshiped as God waits for its next major ICC Trophy.
The triumph of the 2011 World Cup and the champion’s trophy 2013 under the leadership of Captain M.S. Dhoni bought a smile on smile on every Indian cricket fan.
Only if everyone knew that despite having one of the best team and players in the world a tough road lies ahead of the Indian team.
Post-Champions Trophy
● 2014 t20 Final Loss vs Sri Lanka
After two successful ICC campaigns, Team India was the favorite to clinch the 2014 t20 world cup in Bangladesh. The in-form batsman Virat Kohli and a young team led by MS Dhoni was looking dangerous and reached the final against the Lankan Lions (Sri Lanka).
However, when it came to the big stage the team under performed and faltered batting first as they could only manage 130 runs in 20 over’s.
Sri Lanka chased down the target in 18 over’s easy.
Yuvraj Singh faced scrutiny for his performance during the slog over’s. (11 off 21)
● 2015 World Cup Semi-final Loss vs Aus.
The defending champions India were ready to defend their title and were too good for every opponent they faced in the group stage as they were undefeated in all the group matches.
But, yet again the story was no different as they choked at the big stage as they were defeated by the host Australia by 95 runs which put an end to their journey.
● 2016 t20 World Cup Semi-final Loss vs West Indies
The team almost got knocked out of the group stage but thanks to the calm nerves and brilliant keeping and captaincy of Captain M.S. Dhoni the team escaped a knockout defeat.
The spirits of the team were high after the win and they managed to win against the mighty Australians to reach the semi-finals only to face the Caribbean giants (West Indies).
Batting first-team India put up a decent total of 192 on a flat Wankhede (Mumbai) pitch thinking it would be enough.
The power-hitting of the West Indians was too good for the Indian bowlers and a late no-ball by Jasprit Bumrah Changed the course of the match as West Indies easily chased the target with 2 balls remaining.
Change of Leadership (Jan 2017)
MS Dhoni stepped down as captain in January 2017 in the limited over Formats at home against England.
Virat Kohli a prolific batsman and also the Test Captain were named the Captain across all formats.
● 2017 Champions Trophy Final Loss of vs Pakistan
India vs. Pakistan a final couldn’t get any better. Both teams played spectacular cricket throughout the tournament and the final was expected to be a thriller.
It was the mighty Indian batting lineup against the ferocious Pakistani bowling lineup.
Batting first Pakistan put up a great show and posted a mammoth total of 338.
Coming out to bat the Indian batters collapsed to everyone’s surprise and were 33 -3.
Hardik Pandya played a good inning and scored 76 off 43 balls before getting run out.
This began Virat Kohli’s unfortunate run-in ICC tournaments.
India got bowled out for 158 and lost by 180 runs and from there on it only went downhill for India.
● 2019 ICC World Cup Loss vs New Zealand
Many speculated but no one knew that it could be the “Last World Cup” of MS Dhoni.
Indian team showed some brilliant team performances & individual performances by Rohit Sharma (5 Centuries) most in a single edition of the world cup.
Indian team set up a clash with New Zealand in the Semi-Final.
Batting First New Zealand was restricted for 238/8 by the bowlers in the overcast conditions.
A total that seemed easily achievable was a mammoth task on a reserved day as the first day washed out.
The New Zealand Seamers came out all guns blazing and got rid of Rohit Sharma very cheaply under the windy overcast conditions.
The batting lineup and collapsed. MS Dhoni and Jadeja tried to stabilize the innings with a partnership but both got out in the end.
The famous Martin Guptil throw from deep put an end to India’s world cup campaign and MS Dhoni long Legendary Career as it was the last time he played for India.
● 2021 ICC Test Championship loss vs New Zealand
The formats changed but the luck and result didn’t.
Coming off a staggering home and away record during 2 years teams India was in high spirits but was against the opposition who dominated them the most across all formats.
The team selection was questioned, rain played spoiled sport throughout the game.
New Zealand’s Discipline swing bowling was too good for the Indian batters as no Indian Batsman could score a 50 in the game.
India lost the match by 8 wickets and another opportunity to win an ICC trophy and put an end to their drought.
Another opportunity waits this year as UAE will host the t20 World cup.
India once again are favorites to win the tournament with one of the best squads.
Indian cricket fans and Virat Kohli would definitely like this drought to end and bring back an ICC trophy in India.
- Aadidev
