As the T20 World Cup approaches, former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has candidly addressed a persistent issue plaguing Team India: their struggles in ICC knockout games. In an interaction with Star Sports, Misbah pointed out that while India consistently reaches the semifinals and finals, they often stumble at the last hurdle, a trend that has persisted over the last decade.
India’s Knockout Woes
Since 2013, India has participated in ten ICC tournaments and faced nine eliminations in knockout stages. Despite their strong performances in the league phases, the team has failed to clinch the title when it matters most. Misbah attributes this pattern to a mental block, highlighting that all the hard work in the preliminary stages is undone when India faces high-pressure situations.
Learning from Australia
Misbah urged India to take note of Australia‘s approach to high-stakes games. He emphasized that Australia’s success in crucial matches is rooted in their strong mental attitude. “Look at Australia, for instance. They overcome most of these hurdles with their strong mental attitude. As big matches and pressure situations arise, they manage to stay composed,” Misbah said.
He suggested that the immense pressure from their huge populations and high expectations affects the performance of subcontinental teams like India and Pakistan. “For some reason, teams from the sub-continent, including India and Pakistan, probably lack the mental toughness or the fortitude, which leads to their ouster in the matches that matter the most,” Misbah explained.
India’s Current Potential
Despite these concerns, Misbah expressed admiration for India’s current squad, describing it as the most balanced lineup selected by chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, captain Rohit Sharma, and coach Rahul Dravid. He praised the depth and quality of India’s bowling attack, which includes stalwarts like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and the versatile Hardik Pandya.
“It’s a different Indian team now, a skilful team with a very powerful bowling lineup. The batting has always been strong, but the quality of their fast bowling has really elevated their game,” Misbah noted. “With bowlers like Bumrah, Shami, Siraj, and the all-round abilities of Hardik Pandya, the quality of Indian cricket has increased significantly. Their ability to handle pressure has improved too. Playing so much cricket gives them exposure and boosts their confidence. To break this, opposing teams need to make a lot of effort, which is a difficult task.”
Looking Forward
As India prepares for the T20 World Cup, the key challenge will be overcoming the mental hurdles that have historically impeded their progress in knockout games. Misbah’s insights underscore the importance of mental toughness and composure under pressure, qualities that Australia exemplifies.
“It’s interesting to see how these teams will manage it in the future. India, especially, will need to find ways to overcome this mounting pressure if they want to succeed in upcoming events,” Misbah concluded.
With a potent mix of experienced and talented players, India hopes to turn the tide and break their knockout jinx in the forthcoming T20 World Cup. The team’s ability to manage pressure and deliver in critical moments will be crucial in determining their success on the world stage
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