A new strategy marked the beginning, and ever since, everything India has undertaken has been highly effective and successful.
India enters Sunday’s World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad with an unbeaten record. The remarkable success they’ve achieved is a result of a collective shift in mindset, which can be traced back to their defeat by England in the T20 World Cup semi-final at Adelaide last year. Following that campaign, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid discarded the established game plans and patterns. Despite impressive performances, such as Virat Kohli’s remarkable display against Pakistan, India wasn’t the dominant force they appear to be today.
Rohit, leading by example, transformed his approach. Rohit’s strategic alterations have significantly impacted the team’s overall performance. India’s powerplay strike rate of 109 in the first ten overs is the highest in the competition, with Rohit contributing more than half of India’s powerplay runs this tournament. Kohli, on the other hand, has adapted his game according to the team’s needs. His simplicity and precision complement the batting order, Indian batting now features a blend of Rohit’s aggression, Shubman Gill’s consistency, Shreyas Iyer’s powerful strikes (earning consecutive hundreds), and KL Rahul’s composure.
The team initially faced vulnerabilities in the middle order during their first World Cup game, but Kohli’s composed innings stabilized the situation and set the tone for a winning streak. India’s challenges grew when Hardik Pandya suffered an injury. However, the team innovatively employed a five-bowler strategy, introducing Mohammed Shami, who made crucial contributions with both bat and ball in pivotal games.
Jasprit Bumrah’s impactful bowling with the new ball and his exceptional economy rate have added immense pressure on opponents, allowing other bowlers like Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja to capitalize on the situation. India’s consistency is evident from their unchanged lineup across six games. Players like Shami, despite playing only six matches, lead the bowling charts with impressive performances.
Moreover, the team has seen remarkable comebacks, notably from Rahul and Iyer, who overcame injury setbacks to contribute significantly. Gill, although yet to register a century, has consistently supported his captain as an opener and played some vital innings. As India gears up for the final, their journey is like a dream script, with each player contributing to the team’s success in their unique way.
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