England and the Art of Choking in Sporting World Cups

England bottled up a monumental opportunity to get through to the finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after 60 years. They had everything aligned for them and even in this must win match up, they had control for most of the game leading 1-0 and needed to play out hardly about 10 minutes or so to register a historic date in the final which would have been their first since 1966 where they emerged triumphant in the finals against West Germany in front of a packed home stadium of Wembley with the entire country going bananas.

But alas, it was not to be. When they had to step up and seize the initiative they handed it back to Argentina who grabbed it with both hands scoring a goal and leveling proceedings towards end of full time and enabling one more just into extra time to kill the game beyond England's reach. England were woeful, pathetic and diabolic to say the least. It was an epic melt down of sorts at the most crucial juncture of a semi final and what looked like giving their fans a date to remember ended up flaming in the ashes in absolute disarray.

The English were caught short napping with their tactics and thought they could get away with just few minutes remaining to tick in the clock. They totally lost possession and were just hoping or rather praying that Argentina wouldn't equalize especially with time at their advantage. However the steely resolve of 'La Albiceleste' derailed the 'Three Lions' by running through their brittle defense to grab the much needed 2 goals. 

This was a chance for England to avenge revenge from the ill fated clash exactly 40 years ago when the infamous Hand of God goal along with one of the greatest goals ever scored enabled Argentina to knock out the English on way to a famous world cup win. In 1986 it was the Hand of God goal of Diego Maradona causing heartbreak and this time in 2026 it was the Left Feet of God ala Lionel Messi aiding with 2 assists sealing an improbable victory.

England disappointing at the biggest stage however has been a perennial occurrence. Perhaps this could be their greatest ever slipped opportunity but over the last 3 decades they have always found themselves coming up hollow in crucial encounters by choking, panicking and eventually botching it up causing chagrin of the highest order for their sports loving spectators. Its not just in football but even in other sports they have missed plenty of chances to claim the biggest crown.

Its a shame that a sporting nation like England still has to fall back on the 1966 triumph that occurred 60 years back and the wait is only going to get longer with their recent exit. In 1998, they pushed Argentina to the brim but fell away in the penalty shoot out. During 2002, in the quarter final they took the lead against eventual champion Brazil only to grant it back and allow them to score another to seal victory. 2006 was another penalty potboiler as they bowed out to Portugal. 8 years back in 2018, they were knocked out in the semis to unfancied Croatia yet again after taking the lead and in 2022, a penalty miss by their talisman Harry Kane made sure they go out to France. 2026 they had all bases covered and looked to finally overcome their 60 year cursed hoodoo when a chaotic shambles of a performance in the last quarter of the game enabled to emerge a come back from behind victory for the Argentinians. 

I read a few comparisons of England equaling their choking nature in football akin to South Africa's tendencies in cricket where they have stumbled many a time in crucial world cup encounters. But the going in cricket also doesn't give for pretty reading. England finally won their first ODI World Cup only in their 4th shot at the final and even that triumph in 2019 was mired in controversy as a tied game was granted to them due to a dubious boundary related decision making fracas. They lost the 1979 ODI WC final at home to the West Indies and in 1987 squandered away a golden buffet literally handing the cup to the Aussies thanks to a needless reverse sweep by Captain Mike Gatting. The following World Cup they again came undone against Pakistan in the final, a team they had bowled out for just 74 in the group stage encounter. Coming to the other premier ODI competition next in line to the World Cup viz the Champions Trophy, they again dwindled at the crucial stage not being able to claim a single title. In 2 of these Championships held in England during the 2004 and 2013 edition they reached the finals and on both occasions they suppressed by not being able to take the initiative despite having the opposition on the mat in the finale vs West Indies in 2004. In the 2013 final, they literally had the match in the bag but a late order squeeze by Indian bowlers aided by nervousness from the English batsman ensured that they manage to lose by a wafer thin margin. Again it was 2 major missed opportunities to win a global cricketing tournament that too at home and that too after getting to the final and that too dominating most part of the match only to eventually lose out. In the T20 World Cup format, they are better off having claimed 2 titles but even there they missed a massive chance to add 2 more. In the 2016 final in India, Ben Stokes was smoked for 4 consecutive sixes in the final over to establish West Indies win a match which looked pretty impossible. 10 years later in 2026, they had the match in the balance and were well in control against host India in the semifinals at Wankhede, Mumbai but again failed to capitalize and advance to the final.

Rugby stakes also doesn't bode well for a pretty picture when it comes to knock out clashes. Yes, they held their nerve to beat the hosts Aussies in spectacular fashion in a memorable final night at Sydney in the 2003 World Cup but against the same Wallabies at home in the 1991 final at Twickenham they were undone. Also they were at the receiving end in the finals twice at the hands of the Springboks both in 2007 and 2019. In the last World Cup of 2023, at the semifinal stage they were leading South Africa but got robbed falling one point short from advancing to the final.

There definitely seems to be something psychologically wrong with England when it comes to big World Cup tournaments. Many a time they have assembled a team which had all the ammunition to compete against the very best in the world but somehow they repeatedly fall short lacking the killer instinct to punch their way about especially when it comes to dire situations and also architect a choke of the highest proportion at the business end frequently. Since the main topic was on football, it is quite shocking the number of times they have lost out on penalty shoot outs. You can be rest assured that once it gets there to that stage, England have a mental imbalance and know in the mind that they have already lost it. In Euro 2020 at a home final in Wembley they plundered in the shoot out to Italy and another blunder took place in the following Euro 2024 to Spain making them lose back to back Euro finals similar to losing 2 back to back cricket ODI World Cups in 1987 & 1992. England have never reached a final of the FIFA World Cup since 1966 but in recent times both in 2018 and 2026 as alluded earlier they screwed up royally in the semifinals after taking the lead and being minutes away from playing at the biggest stage of their lives.

England's choking howlers needs to be analysed intricately. They have been everlasting under achievers for eternity now. I cannot fathom how many World Cup triumphs they would have had even if they had converted half of all those missed possibilities. It almost feels like for the opposition, England is a soft target especially when it comes to knock out fixtures because this kind of blasphemous blow out is simply unacceptable to comprehend. They come up with immense hype and extraordinary expectations every time only flattering to deceive time and again by hitting the stumbling block perpetually. They really epitomize the characteristic of "All Fart No Shit". They definitely need to address and do something about this going forward so as to prevent this mourning from persisting repeatedly. It must be so heart breaking for the fans every time to see their beloved English side failing to seize the initiative and actually end up victorious. This FIFA World Cup 2026 story is another chapter in England's checkered sporting history of coming so close only to falter. What looked like coming home finally after 60 years got snatched away in the last minute eluding them once again making the wait longer and hope continuing to linger.

India's Perfect 3 in 3 - Life comes a full circle

This was India's 3rd straight big tournament ICC World title having conquered the T20 World Cup in 2024 followed by the Champions Trophy in 2025 and now the T20 World Cup of 2026. With this victory, India also becomes the first team to successfully defend their title and it also emerged third time triumphant in the T20 World Cup having won the inaugural edition in 2007 and then the 9th version in 2024 and now the current 10th time its been staged in 2026. Incidentally the only 2 common links across these 3 victorious campaigns happen to be Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel who both played crucial roles in enabling India win these 3 world titles across the last 3 years.

India also happen to be the first country to have won the T20 World Cup thrice. One coincidence running across as an underlying theme is that India's victories in the T20 World Cup on all 3 occasions came about while batting first. The only final which India lost was in 2014 in which they were also inserted into bat by eventual champions Sri Lanka. In 10 editions of the T20 World Cup being conducted, this also happens to be the first time the home nation is capturing the trophy. Another noteworthy coincidence is that India have now won 2 Limited Overs World Cups at home with the ODI World Cup triumph in 2011 and this T20 World Cup victory 15 years later in 2026. In both these editions, they only lost one game and both times the opponent was South Africa. Another strange coincidence not directly involving India but a reign of luck favouring them is that every time Zimbabwe have defeated Australia in a World Cup game, the victors in that particular World Cup were to be India. This has also happened 3 times now first with Zimbabwe's victory over Australia in the Prudential ODI World Cup of 1983 and after that in the inaugural T20 World Cup of 2007 held in South Africa and now recently in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Also India avenged revenge against their rivals New Zealand in the final, a team who they have always lost in T20 World Cups prior to this losing all their 3 encounters previously viz in 2007, 2016 and 2021.

The records don't end there. India's coach Gautam Gambhir became the first cricketer ever to win the T20 World Cup both as a player and coach. He was part of the initial success way back in 2007 & now led the side as coach to succeed in 2026. In fact Gautam Gambhir is the only Indian cricketer to have been part of 3 Indian World Cup victories in a capacity of either a player or a coach being a member of the victorious T20 World Cup squad of 2007 followed by the ODI World Cup conquest in 2011 and now as coach of the successful 2026 T20 World Cup winning side. Gambhir also incidentally happened to be the highest run scorer for India in both the 2007 T20 World Cup final as well as the 2011 ODI World Cup final.

India also finally got 3rd time lucky at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. In fact since 2023, their only 2 defeats in ICC world events happened to come by at this stadium with India heartbreakingly going down in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023 vs Australia at this very ground. The other defeat was at this tournament when they were literally given a pounding by South Africa who pounced their way to a commanding victory which almost put India's chances of qualifying to the next stage in jeopardy. Ending the curse of Ahmedabad at the biggest stage of a final was indeed sweet redemption especially considering the ill fated hoodoo circumambulating around this particular pitch across the last couple of years. Another superstition looming which India arrested was winning a World Cup final on a Sunday. All of India's prior World Cup victories be it the ODI World Cup final of 1983 & 2011 and 2024 T20 World Cup final was won on a Saturday. The T20 World Cup final of 2007 was held on a Monday due to Heritage Day in South Africa. All of India's World Cup final losses be it the ODI World Cup (2003 & 2023) and T20 World Cup (2014) were both on a Sunday.

The Solar month of Maasi which is when the Sun orbits in the sign of Aquarius that runs around the period from approx mid February to mid March has also been very lucky when it comes to Indian cricket. In fact India has claimed major titles during the March leg on the 10th, 9th and 8th respectively across multiple years. Thus Maasi month or Kumbha Masam as it's called especially the time interval that falls in the month of March has been extremely lucky for India from a cricketing parlance.
10th March 1985 - India win the one and only World Championship of Cricket. This was a championship held by Australia to commemorate 150th anniversary of European settlement in the State of  Victoria and comprised of the then 7 test playing nations and was one of the first world cricket events to be played in coloured clothing much before the advent of the first World Cup in coloured shades which saw its ingress only in 1992.
9th March 2025 - India claimed the Champions Trophy and in the process also became the only side to claim this title for the 3rd time.
8th March 2026 - India won the T20 World Cup 2026 becoming the first team not only to win at home but also the first side to successfully defend their trophy and also the first country to win the T20 World Cup for the 3rd time.

All of the above sounds absolutely rosy and seems like India is an invincible and unstoppable force when it comes to white ball cricket. But that was not the case for over a decade with India coming up short many a time towards the final hurdle despite putting up commendable performances. After the 2013 Champions Trophy victory, India went through a wretched run devoid of major ICC World trophies till they finally arrested the slide by claiming the T20 World Cup in jaw dropping humdinger fashion in 2024. After that there's not been looking back with the team going from strength to strength adding 3 titles to the kitty back to back. This golden run now especially seems all the more welcoming even though some may brush this off as being a regular occurrence but the barren run prior to that was extremely painful to say the least. India have finally found the mojo of the winning mentality by knowing how to cross the final hurdle. This particular T20 dominance was superbly spectacular considering that it was at home when the team was under tremendous pressure to deliver and defend their title. And boy oh boy they did it in swashbuckling fashion. Let's hope this streak keeps going in the ascendancy and the team is able to win more laurels in the days and years to come.

Summary of India's 3 in 3 Victories

Continuous 3 Year World Title Championships
2024 T20 World Cup - 29th June 2024
2025 Champions Trophy - 9th March 2025
2026 T20 World Cup - 8th March 2026

India's 3 T20 World Cup Triumphs
2007 T20 World Cup - 24th September 2007
2024 T20 World Cup - 29th June 2024
2026 T20 World Cup - 8th March 2026

India's March Month Glories
1985 World Championship - 10th March 1985
2025 Champions Trophy - 9th March 2025
2026 T20 World Cup - 8th March 2026

10 year revenge served sweet amidst emerging coincidental patterns

This was the 6th time that India was hosting a Cricket World Cup - ODIs (1987, 1996, 2011, 2023) and T20's (2016, 2026) combined and 5 times prior to this one they have reached at least the semifinals every single occasion. It seemed like this hallowed home record which was on the line may finally slip up this time as they were facing a rampant West Indian line up who infamously took them out in the semifinals of the 2016 T20 World Cup.

Coming to this match, there were eerie similarities to what happened in 2016. India played West Indies at Mumbai on March 31st 2016 for a place in the final and came a cropper despite putting up a size able total in excess of 190. A similar story looked like unfolding this time on March 1st 2026 especially on account of abysmal fielding by India allowing the Windies to notch up a score similar to the total put up by India in 2016. India did lose important wickets at regular intervals while chasing but Sanju Samson played the innings of his life keeping his calm & composure guiding India to a famous win and avenging revenge from 10 years back.

Just to summarise these 2 matches involving India & West Indies which were held 10 years apart, first one in 2016 and now in 2026. Both the matches were held in the month of March. The first one being on the last date of March - 31st March 2016 and the current one on the first date of March - 1st March 2026. Last time it was a semifinal played at Wankhede, Mumbai with the winner booking a place in the final at Eden Gardens Kolkata. This time it was the reverse. It was not a semifinal but a virtual quarter final knockout clash being played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata with the winner booking a place in the semifinals at Wankhede, Mumbai. Also interestingly both times, the team chasing won the match and on both occasions the team batting first set up a total in excess of 190 but fell short of the 200 mark. Both matches can also be known for their fielding mishaps and all the 4 totals set up and chased by West Indies and India across the 2 matches all fall in the range of 190's.

The date March 1st is also remembered to have a knock etched in gold as Sachin Tendulkar produced a thunderous 98 on this very date vs Pakistan in the ODI World Cup of 2003. Sanju Samson's fabulous 97 on 1st March 2026 can certainly draw parallels with respect to the class and brilliance of that sterling knock by the great Sachin Tendulkar. Both these knocks would be in the reckoning to go down in the annals as two of the greatest 90's ever scored in limited overs cricket with both coming on the same date though 23 years apart.

This win by India allowed the host nation to get to a semifinal placement once again for the 6th time running in an ICC Limited Overs World Cup. The cricketing patterns continue to get interesting as India will be meeting England for the 3rd straight time in the semifinals of the T20 World Cup having played them in 2022, 2024 and now once again in 2026. It is 1-1 a piece and it's certainly going to be a juicy mouth watering clash. Ironically the winner of this clash from the last 2 instances also went on to capture the coveted T20 World Cup.

Also for the uninitiated and especially the old timers, India and England will be clashing in a World Cup Semifinal in Mumbai after almost 4 decades as they incidentally contested in the 1987 ODI WC semifinal at Wankhede which was also the first ever World Cup hosted by India termed as the Reliance World Cup back in the day. That game didn't go to India's plan thanks largely to Graham Gooch sweeping aside India on the way to a famous win. This is a chance to avenge revenge for the acrimony of 1987. Fingers crossed and if India does get through that they have another score to settle at Ahmedabad, a ground famous to have given Indian crickets biggest teary eyed heartbreaking moment in it's rich cricketing history.

Still a long way to go but at this time savouring this epic win against the West Indies thanks predominantly to CSK recruit Sanju Samson whose blitz earned a place for India in the semifinals for the 6th consecutive time in World Cups at home. Adipoli Chetta! Hoping the magic continues for India over the next 2 games. May the divine be with Bharat Mata.

Written in the stars - A Maiden Women's ODI World Cup Triumph!

Just as the clock ticked past 12, when Nadine De Klerk drove Deepti Sharma's delivery uppishly with Harmanpreet Kaur leaping backwards and taking a high held catch igniting India's victory sparking off an eruption of joy resulting in unreal celebrations, it felt like a new era in Indian women's cricket had dawned. The Indian Women bleeding blue had done the unthinkable and garnered India a famous World Cup victory on home soil. The pinpoint precision in the timing was simply profound because 78 summers ago just as the time stroked past 12 AM in the wee hours of 15th August 1947 was when our great nation India was christened Independence. The serendipity with respect to the timing couldn't have been more poetic.

Winning a World Cup stands as a monumental historic achievement for any nation. When it occurs at home with the crowds swooning and cheering for you it makes the experience all the more special. Having said that however, losing a World Cup final at home backed by billions of people wanting you to cross over the line and when you end up falling short that pain is the worst heartbreaking feeling ever. Nothing can ever beat the scar of such a defeat as it's absolutely gut wrenching especially disappointing innumerable hearts. We all cried with Rohit & Virat when the 2023 WC final slipped out of our hands. All those commanding nonchalant wins throughout the tourney counted for nothing because at the end the victory was not Team India's. It's just a game at the end of the day but there is a massive difference between winning and coming second especially in a team sport like cricket.

As a cricketing fan, this particular win makes the heart beam with pride and swell with joy. Although not in entirety, it has definitely helped in healing to an extent and exorcising the ghosts of the past. As a young youth, watching the Indian men's team succumb to Australia in the 2003 ODI WC final in South Africa was pretty traumatising. Many would say that it was an all conquering invincible Aussie side but if ever there was a team who could upstage the Aussies it was India. After losing their initial encounter to Australia pretty badly, the team led by Saurav Ganguly played fearless cricket winning all the rest of their matches with relative ease. The Aussies although unbeatable had a few slip ups in games against NZ and Eng where they were under the cosh for much of the time. However come the final, the Aussies were simply unconquerable and showed their prowess by asserting their supremacy. I was waiting with bated breath for that 20 year pain to erase in the home ODI World Cup of 2023 but alas only for it to be accentuated much further. India who looked simply untouchable all through the tournament came a cropper right at the very final in front of a jam packed stadium. It was the most perfect way for their 2 talismans Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli to go on a high but instead ended up being a nightmare with tears in truckloads as the 2 unassuming legends were not able to take it crying profusely and uncontrollably. That was the most unbearable loss ever in the history of Indian cricket. There was however some redemption the following year with India finally claiming a T20 World Cup victory albeit not at home but in the Caribbean.

When it came to the Women's game, India did reach the finals of the ODI World Cup twice earlier in 2005 and 2017. In the 2005 edition, an inexperienced Indian side was simply blown away by the Aussies. The 2017 defeat however was hard to soak in. After overcoming the indomitable Aussies in the semifinals thanks courtesy to current captain Harmanpreet Kaurs blitz, the Indians blew away a golden opportunity to win their first ever major title. It was an inexplicable collapse of epic proportions as India bottled up the chase with not even 30 required off the last 5 overs and plenty of wickets still in hand. I remember having seen the events playing out and was simply aghast and distraught. India were literally handed the match on a silver leaved platter but they ended up spilling it by choking beyond imagination.

In 2025, with a home World Cup looming large, India's performance in the group stages was patchy to say the least. They had to do some extra heavy lifting to even reach the semifinals. Their opponent yet again was the almighty Aussies who everyone including the hardcore Indian fan knew were simply too strong to contend with and will probably be brushing aside the Indian side with consummate ease. With Aussies putting up a total of over 330 on the board, it looked like a familiar story unfolding only for the Indians to make a remarkable comeback and exercise the greatest chase ever in the history of the women's game. The celebrations after the semifinals were unparalleled. Must admit however that it felt a little overboard considering the job still had to be done with India's final holy grail still lurking. It was drawing parallels to the win over the Kiwis in the men's ODI WC semifinal of 2023 giving an impression of India already holding one hand at the trophy. 

The final had it's moments. India who were inserted to bat first on a belter ended up a wee bit short of 300 on a batting paradise of a pitch at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. It just looked par for the course with the final nerves playing foul as India looked well on course for a score close to about 350 after having laid the platform. The South Africans too were unrelenting especially with their Captain Architect Laura Wolvaardt leading from the front with a scintillating century backing up with the ton scored in the semifinals. However it felt clearly that the stars and signs were on India's side as regular breakthroughs enabled India to cap off a victory for the ages.

The players apart, it's also a beautiful story of redemption for coach Amol Mazumdar. Amol was once touted to be one of India's future cricketing stars after beginning his Ranji career in stellar fashion with a double century on debut. There is also a famous tale of him sitting with his pads on for 2 days not being able to bat with fellow Mumbaikars Vinod Kambli & Sachin Tendulkar stitching up an awe inspiring partnership of 664 runs in the Harris Shield tournament. Mazumdar like the hallowed yesteryear greats Padmakar Shivalkar and Rajinder Goel never ended up representing India and now to be a part as the coach of the World Cup winning Indian women's team speaks wonders.

It was also lovely to see Sachin Tendulkar in the stands who finally won an ODI World Cup in 2011 in his 6th attempt at his beloved Aamchi Mumbai on that historic night of 2nd April 2011. Another heartfelt moment was watching Rohit Sharma witnessing the Indian team winning the World Cup on home soil. Rohit, the captain of the men's ODI World Cup team of 2023 missed out on the opportunity of capturing a home World Cup with India's campaign coming to an end in an agonising manner with a defeat in the final on this very month 2 years prior dated 19th November 2023. Additionally seeing ex Indian women players who missed out on world cup glory such as Anjum Chopra, Jhulan Goswami and Mithali Raj hold aloft the trophy was truly heartwarming.

One of the greatest signs signalling an Indian victory was the performance of Shafali Varma, the player of the match. She was not even part of the initial squad but an unforeseen accidental injury to their star opener Prathika Rawal resulted in her being added to the squad. In the semifinals she had failed to get going and come the final her place was still in question. At the end, she proved to be the major difference with not only her sterling 87 but also those uncanny 2 wickets which came out of the blue. It was fantasy at it's finest. Another player who was dropped midway through the tournament - Jemimah Rodrigues was the one who played a major role with a sparkling half century to enable India beat NZ to get to the semifinals and then playing one of the greatest knocks ever in the semifinal vs Australia putting India on course to a home World Cup final. Another starlet was the much criticised Deepti Sharma who happens to be the only male or female to secure a half century and take 5 wickets in an ODI World Cup final and to boot ending up with the player of the tournament award. Smriti Mandhana's performance as an opener with crucial knocks also set the pace with her tally being the highest ever in an ODI World Cup by an Indian women. One must also not forget the catch plucked at the 3rd attempt by Amanjot bringing to an end Laura Wolvaardt's brilliant innings thus thwarting the South African crusade. The punchy knocks towards the end by wicket keeper Richa Ghosh also proved to be a key decisive factor in India's crucial victories. Another revelation was young Shree Charani who kept the scoring rate at bay along with chipping in with pivotal breakthroughs. 

The stars also shone brightly on India's side with coincidental similarities to the men's ODI World cup winning side of 2011 with respect to the date, city, Nakshatra in operation and Captain finishing with the final flurry towards the end. Summarising the sameness below:

- Apr 2nd 2011, Mumbai, Uthirattathi (Uttara Bhadrapada) star⭐, India win men's ODI WC at home for the first time. Captain Dhoni secures it with the winning six.

- Nov 2nd 2025, Mumbai, Uthirattathi (Uttara Bhadrapada) star⭐, India win women's ODI WC at home for the first time. Captain Harman claims it with the winning catch.

This victory coming 78 years after India's Independence in 1947, 42 years after Indian men's conquest at the ODI WC of 1983 and 14 years after India's famous ODI world cup victory at home soil in 2011 marks a seismic shift. The 1983 victory paved a revolution with the Indian men's game growing from strength to strength with India being a major cricketing powerhouse in the years that followed. This victory by our Desi girls has the potential to spark off a change of guard and herald a new rise in the women's game by providing hope to generations of youngsters. Have to wait and watch as to how things will eventually transpire but at this point tremendously grateful to these girls for providing us a night to remember in rejoicing this vicarious victory and making every Indian extremely proud with this epoch making performance for the ages.

South Africa's redemption and date with destiny!

South Africa have perennially been the most unluckiest team when it comes to the sport of cricket. They have produced absolute genius cricketers across their rich history but when it came to world cricket tournaments, luck always deserted them. Due to apartheid, they were cut off from the cricketing fraternity for decades together deeming them not being able to participate in any of the first 4 ODI World Cups held in 1975, 1979, 1983 and 1987. Their casting away from the game also meant that few of their hallmark cricketers such as the Pollock brothers Peter & Graeme, opening batsman Barry Richards, all rounder Mike Procter and a slew of others got limited opportunities to represent the Rainbow nation and showcase their prowess on the global stage.

Once South Africa made their way back into the cricketing circle from 1991 onwards, ill luck has hit them constantly like a plague which just seemed unrelenting. It was almost a case of 'oh so near yet so far' every time that it felt like a farce with them repeatedly failing towards the final hurdle come what may. Also some of the consequences made it feel like as if there was an almighty's curse hanging on around this nation for eternity. This was however not resonated in the other sport which South Africa is passionate about viz Rugby where they were able to reel off 4 World Cup titles in which they always used to have that extra ammunition to win those major titles. The killer instinct and that lady luck was more prevalent with the Rugby team and an ample example of that was them winning the 2023 Rugby World Cup Quarter finals, Semi finals and Final all by a solitary point.

When it came to cricket, since their readmission, they have been one of the most consistent teams but without any result to show of. Apart from spells of bad luck, they've had a tough time dealing with their arch enemies from the Southern Hemisphere Australia especially and New Zealand to some extent when it came to knockout clashes. In every alternate ODI World Cup from the time they started participating viz 1992, 1999, 2007, 2015 and 2023, the Proteas were undone in the semifinals with luck also playing foil against them.

When it came to ODI World Cups, they had a sterling display in their very first major tournament viz the 1992 ODI World Cup held in Australia & New Zealand. In their semifinal encounter, they were robbed off against England when a despicable rain rule put paid to them going further in their frontier. With 22 required off 13 deliveries, rain intervention revised it to 22 off 7 and then finally 22 off 1 delivery which meant South Africa's stellar progress ended in a rather dubious and wretched way. This streak of bad luck that got implanted in 1992 just continued on and on across years and decades. In the 1996 ODI WC, they had an unblemished record winning all 5 games convincingly in the group stage only to play the lowest ranked side from the other group West Indies with Brian Lara scoring a brilliant century and knocking them out of the WC in the only match which they lost. 

1999 was the most hurting as they again had a seriously amazing campaign and went out on a tied encounter with the Aussies in the semifinals. They had the match in the grasp but unfortunate turn of events made them fall short in their progress yet again. The 2003 home ODI WC was a bitterly disappointing experience for them with rain again playing havoc and a wrong reading of the rules making them exit the tournament much to the chagrin of the home fans who were shattered no end. There was a misreading of the DLS par score which the Proteas thought was the winning score only to be later told that they ended up one run short marking a shocking exit from the tournament in the group stages.

The 2007 WC in the Caribbean again saw them through in their passage to the semifinals setting up a mouth watering clash with their hardcore rivals Aussies who were instrumental in knocking them out from the 1999 WC. It was a chance to avenge revenge but alas it was not meant to be as an invincible Australian side was just too strong on that day. In 2011 South Africa were the only side to defeat eventual World Cup champions India but came a cropper against the Kiwis in spin friendly conditions despite not having to chase a major total in the quarter final stage.

When it finally looked like the moment of reckoning was going to be fulfilled, South Africa were knocked out in the semifinals of the 2015 ODI WC in a clash of the ages against the hosts Kiwis. It was shell shocking to see their 2 marquee men Dale Steyn and AB Devilliers crestfallen no end. Here again it was a rain curtailed match which somehow played in the hands of the Kiwis. One would reckon that a full 50 over game could have had a different result but that's the way it is with luck and South Africa always going in polar directions. The 2019 ODI WC was a rebuilding phase with many of their senior pros not being part of the squad and it ended in a dismaying outcome where they couldn't qualify to the semifinals. This was probably the only ODI WC where South Africa were nowhere near coming close to being champions.

The 2023 ODI WC saw a familiar story unfolding. After a creditable run in the group stages, they set up a clash with the Aussies in the semifinals who they were facing for a third time at this phase. When questions were asked whether South Africa would be third time lucky, the same hoodoo transpired yet again. It was a double whammy as they not only lost to Australia their perennial rivals but also to rain with weather playing spoilsport as always is the case with them. Kolkata was in the midst of cold hazy climate with ball swinging in all directions and the Aussies exploited the early advantage by scalping quick wickets and putting the Saffers on the mat. Despite defending a low score, South Africa fought hard and made a meat of it but again it was the grit and resolve of Australia who are always known to be exceptional in such stages that managed to win a closely fought low scoring chase.

Apart from the ODI World Cup, this pandemic hex was evident in the T20 World Cup as well albeit not to the same extent in terms of foiled attempts. In the 2009 T20 WC, South Africa came in as firm favourites winning all their games setting up a semi final shootout with Pakistan. In a closely contested game, the Saffers lost out eventually falling short by 7 runs. The 2014 T20 WC semifinal saw them being gunned down by India courtesy largely a Virat Kohli chasing masterclass. The indisputable crowning choking moment was reserved for the T20 World Cup final of 2024. South Africa who were always vary when it came to knockouts and especially semifinals finally got a shot to play their first ever World cup final with their opponents being India. Chasing a target set of 176, South Africa were well on course and firmly placed to win with just a run a ball 30 to get off the last 5 overs which in general parlance of a T20 format or any version whatsoever is a walk in the park. But they bottled it up by choking at the most inopportune time with just 26 required off the last 4 overs. It was a fightback of epic proportions by India and South Africa's worst fears came compounding drastically as they lost this final title clash by a mere 7 runs. All those history of bad luck got accentuated and this almost felt like a God sent message that South Africa can just forever bid goodbye to winning a world title. It was just too hard to digest the pain for a South African supporter after all the years of extreme disappointments notwithstanding. South Africa's only triumph remained the title won in the inaugural ICC Champions trophy held 27 years back in 1998. At that time it was christened as the ICC Knockout. Since then 27 years have passed with no major world title of repute.

And then when it all felt lost, finally the moment of reckoning culminated and got conquered on 14th June 2025. It was the 3rd World Test Championship and it was the first time that the Proteas managed to reach the finals. The format of this test cycle has been questioned and debated a lot but South Africa did no wrong in managing to reach the final across 2 years of competing with 8 other teams in the competition. And guess what their final title rival was yet again Australia who have been their nemesis on multiple occasions across decades. This was seen as a David vs Goliath battle with Australia red hot favourites to lift the WTC title for a second time running. All of South Africa's heartbreaks with Australia have always come in the semifinals having lost the ODI WC of 1999, 2007 and 2023. In 2015 when an impending ODI WC final looked like looming large between Aus vs SA, the Kiwis came in the way and averted it. Thus for the first time, South Africa got to play Australia in a final but having known Australia's daunting record in finals and also their hegemony at Lords having hardly lost a test match there over the last century, it seemed too hard an ask to even expect for the Proteas to topple the men adorning the Baggy Green. Over the last 25 years dating back to 1999, Australia had won 9 of their 10 finals adding 5 ODI WCs (1999,2003,2007,2015,2023), 2 CT (2006,2009), a T20 WC (2021) and defending champions of WTC (2023). Their only defeat in the final over this period was to England in the 2010 T20 WC. 

South Africa however finally managed to have their slice of history which they had been waiting with bated breadth for 27 years. The Proteas eventually won a World cricket title after years of agony and pain. It came in the most purest form of Test cricket deeming it extra special. To add to the touch of magic was that it was against their greatest cricketing rivals Australia who have been one of the major adversaries in South Africa being traumatised down the years especially in global ICC events. Another tinge of icing was the fact that the weather for once actually saved them by enabling to bat on a Day 3 Lords pitch which had eased out with the sun shining leading to perfect batting conditions. It was however not all hunky dory as South Africa were shot out for a paltry score in the first innings conceding a good enough lead of 80 runs to the Aussies. In the second innings, with Australia reeling at 73/7, South Africa's perpetual woes of not closing out things came to haunt with the lower order contributing over 130 runs setting up a competitive target of 282 runs.

It was however South Africa's moment in the sun having gutted out and putting a performance of fine calibre shunting out the Aussie bowlers by having a remarkable Day 3. The resolute partnership between centurion Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma blunted out the Aussies from making any sort of comeback. And when the final runs were scored, it sparked off a sea of celebration with an air of excitement that was palpable. South Africa had finally achieved their pinnacle moment of winning a World Championship for the first time ever in their storied cricketing legacy. It was also their first global ICC tournament victory which had come after 27 years in 1998.

South Africa's cricketing journey in the global stage is punctuated with acrimony aplenty with them being labelled as everlasting chokers. Two of their defining disheartening defeats came in the month of June, one being a year earlier to India in the 2024 T20 WC and the other being almost 26 years to the day in that epic semifinal showdown against Australia at Edgbaston in the ODI WC 1999. This victory ironically was also achieved in the meritorious month of June making the bitterness of the past deliciously extra sweet. This has been a long time coming and they deserve to cherish and celebrate every bit of this momentous occasion that will be etched in South African cricketing folklore. This win by South Africa is a story of redemption and hope for what the country has gone through all these years and it's befitting that they finally marked their date with destiny.

The Fallen has Risen - India's comeback turnaround orchestrated by 3 Crusaders!

India's conquest over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final 2024 has given it's players and fans much to cherish and rejoice with the manner of victory making it all the more extra special. India clawed it's way from a seemingly improbable situation to register a triumph for the ages and one which would be firmly and proudly etched in it's folklore.

Thus ended India's ignominious draught of not winning a global ICC title for over 11 years and not securing a World Cup for 13 years and not claiming a T20 World Cup for 17 years. The margin was as wafer thin as it could get and the way the team fought like terriers to ensure that the team will not be undone yet again on the big stage in a mega tournament final clash marks signs of a truly Champion side and deservedly so.

The team has gone through a lot across the last decade with consistent performances across the board but all to no avail. The slip ups always tended to happen at the most pivotal stage causing heartbreak time and again. It almost seemed as if a curse was cast upon the Indian cricket team as something or other was always preventing them from crossing the finish line. All the talk of 'Its just a matter of time' appeared to be slashed across the backside since the victory was eluding them for far too long to even contemplate a justification of any repute.

The seed of this particular success was however not sown just now. In fact, there is a long inglorious history associated with it which goes back plenty of years where different outcomes of trauma germinated in indirectly influencing this win and making it a dream come true with redemption being obtained in it's truest essence. Though this victory is attributable to the entire squad including the support staff as each and every member contributed in some way or other to make this feat attainable but for 3 of the members viz Rahul Dravid, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, this achievement means just a tad extra special considering the pain they've gone through to make this happen. These 3 architects projected the path ahead, transpired to make it happen and inspired India's journey to glory. 

First let's transport back to 2022. Rohit Sharma was appointed captain and was the man in charge of leading his side in the T20 World Cup held in Australia along with Rahul Dravid at the helm of things as coach. India won arguably the match of the tournament against Pakistan with a spectacular showing thanks courtesy to a masterclass from Virat Kohli. All these celebrations turned bitter as just a few days later, India came a cropper being pummelled by the eventual champions England on a day in which they were served a royal drubbing. Things got worse for this duo as they again lost the World Test Championship final in 2023 continuing on from their defeat at the same stage in 2021. When it looked like sanity will finally prevail with India claiming a home ODI WC in 2023 especially after being the most dominant team throughout the tournament came yet again a day of utter disdain with a nightmare being unveiled on the most important day as all the efforts put in throughout the tournament yielded no fruit with a really savage blow being dealt in the final against Australia in front of a billion fans.

Let's now map back to 2014 and the T20 World Cup edition in Bangladesh when this unfortunate draught got implanted. India came in as heavy favourites having just won the Champions Trophy few months back in 2013 and were looking to win their 2nd T20 World Cup. They breezed their way to the final only to be undone by an unfancied Sri Lankan side who came remarkably well prepared in the all important final thus putting a dent in India capturing a major title. This horror run endured from then on for the next decade till 2024. One cricketer induced with misery aplenty happens to be Virat Kohli. He was unfortunate not to be part of the winning side in the 2007 T20 World Cup but he has always been the key performer especially when it comes to this format and more so on the biggest stage which is the World Cup. Both in the 2014 & 2016 T20 World Cup editions, he was the stand out player by a country mile but India as a team again diffused at the big stage losing in the finals and semifinals respectively. If the T20 format was his undoing in capturing a victory for his beloved nation, the despair only extended further with Kohli registering the highest ever total runs amassed in any ODI World Cup only to again be on the losing side in the final of the ODI WC 2023.

We will now go a step further way back specifically to 2007. The current coach of Indian team Rahul Dravid was granted the leadership role and expected to take India all the way after the shattering defeat encountered in the 2003 ODI WC final. When India was hoping to go one better, what ensured was the lowest ebb in India's cricketing history as they bowed out in the very first round causing utter humiliation and disgrace. The whole episode was taken so badly that effigies were burnt of the players by the general public. This turmoil and outcry led to Dravid being stripped of the captaincy in what could said to be the lowest point of his career. As a player, Dravid was a class apart and considered one of India's greatest servants but it was indeed sad that he could never be part of a world cup winning side. He did make amends by coaching the U-19 side to a world cup triumph after failing in his first assignment but striking gold on the second occasion. However one always felt that the man deserved a hurrah with the senior Indian cricketing side as well and when the chance came to take the perfect revenge by avenging the loss as a player in the WC final of 2003, the same story unfolded yet again 20 years later in 2023 as a heavily favoured Indian side had it's worst day coming to a halt on that ill fateful day in Ahmedabad. Dravid also decided to quit as coach after this debacle but was coaxed by the camp to stay on for another 6 months till the T20 World Cup 2024 which he reluctantly agreed.

For Rahul Dravid, to end his career as coach by leading India to a World Cup trophy is a perfect testament dedicated to his greatness and mental toughness. This was at the very same Caribbean 17 years prior in 2007 where he went through horror of the highest magnitude as captain of the Indian team in the ODI World Cup. Also in this particular ground Bridgetown, Barbados that hosted the finale, India encountered an abject shameful defeat in 1997 in a test match against the West Indies where they were shot out for a paltry 81 chasing just 120 with Dravid being part of the team and seeing the collapse unfold. Having been witness to so many regrets running across multiple years, this particular victory to give Dravid the perfect send off makes it so extremely emotional. He may brush this off as just another day as part of his duty but this redemption story certainly couldn't have been scripted any better. Witnessing him hold the trophy aloft beaming with pride unleashing emotions of every kind was truly a sight to behold. Similar is the case with captain Rohit Sharma. Anyone in his place could have just capitulated after what happened in the 2023 ODI WC final. But this man made Australia pay by playing a career defining innings against this very same team in this T20 World Cup by knocking them out and eventually leading his beloved side to a glorious triumph. He wanted this championship so badly and one could see how much this meant to him. Lastly for Virat Kohli to cap off his T20 career with a World cup title to go along with being part of the victorious ODI WC 2011 and Champions Trophy 2013 side places him on a special pedestal. He didn't really have the best of World Cups this time around but cometh the moment and cometh the hour, he showed his class by playing a responsible and crucial knock after the initial setback to eventually win the player of the match trophy in his last ever T20 World Cup match for the country.

The events that transpired on that eventful Saturday of 29th June 2024 at Barbados makes one believe that God truly exists as justice couldn't have been served in a more sweeter manner. The 3 visionaries deserved this redemption more than anything else and rightfully so. This also would rank tribute to being one of India's greatest moments in it's rich cricketing legacy and etched in memory as a day to remember for eternity in India's cricketing fortunes.

Cricketing Nostalgia Edition - Test Cricket of 2002, ODI WC 1999 & beyond

We were in the process of disposing off old items in the house when an old notebook running more than a quarter century caught my attention. I was quite fascinated to see that I had documented handwritten scorecard of all ODI matches played during the 1999 World Cup along with plenty of other notes pertaining mainly towards cricket, a bit of movies and some random scripts.

This was much before the advent of blogging came into existence. I recall around the late 1990s and early 2000s, most homes didn't even have a personal computer and it was only around the early 2000s that internet came into existence with the good old net cracker dial up edition which used to take quite a while to connect.

I had also incidentally penned a summarised version of the year 2002 that played out in test cricket chronicling on the major events that took place during the year. I couldn't beleive it myself that I took the pains to write about test cricket decades back when I was a wily teenager hooked on to the sport in a major way. Also looking at penning scorecards from cricket matches noted down from newspapers brings back a lot of vintage memories.

I am producing verbatim my write up of the year 2002 that was for Test cricket and sharing my hand written documentation of the 1999 ODI World Cup match played between India and Pakistan on the 8th of June 1999. A quarter century has passed since these events have occurred and looking back evokes memorable memories growing up in Chennai and falling in love with this wonderful sport of cricket.

2002 - The Year that Was 

2002 will go down in history as one of those years in which bat completely dominated the ball. It was also a year full of world records. Adam Gilchrist obliterated Botham's record to score the fastest double century. In a matter of few days, he found that his own record was broken by Nathan Astle. Incidentally Astle broke Gilchrist's record by 59 balls getting to his double ton of a mere 153 deliveries. Michael Vaughan scored the second highest runs in a calendar year ever with 1481 runs. The record still belongs to Viv Richards who amassed 1710 runs in 1976. If you thought test cricket was boring think again. Sri Lanka's 509 runs scored in a day against Bangladesh is the highest score scored by a team in a day in test history. Also other notable achievements include Inzamam Ul Haq's 329 vs New Zealand which was the highest test score ever by a Pakistani. The score also stood 10th on the all time list. Rahul Dravid became the fourth batsman in test history to score 4 consecutive hundreds in as many innings. Bowlers couldn't make much of an impact but still there were a few important milestones set. Muralitharan and McGrath became the 7th and 8th bowlers respectively to join the 400 wicket club. Muralitharan also equalled Hadlee's world record of 36 five wicket hauls. Shane Warne went second on the all time list for most wickets taken. Sachin Tendulkar joined the illustrious club of all those who have scored over 8000 test runs. He also went past Donald Bradman's record of 29 test centuries. Now he is in second position in the list of most number of centuries scored behind Sunil Gavaskar. For the first time in test history two teams India and New Zealand got bowled out for less than 100 in their respective first innings. In spite of this feat 2002 will be remembered as a year for the batsmen.

1999 ODI World Cup Scorecard - India vs Pakistan (8th June 1999)

The cruelty of Sport - So near yet so far!

India's performance in the recently concluded ICC cricket ODI World Cup was nothing short of outstanding but did it mean anything? The answer is a resounding 'No' as they lost the only and most crucial game of their lives and broke a billion hearts despite playing admirably well right through the tournament beating every team by their wayside.

It was one day horribly gone wrong and unfortunately this had to happen at the most pinnacle point. Sport is cruel because ultimately when years pass by, only the victor would be remembered and whether one likes it or not, the victory team will be etched to Australia.

Australia on the other hand who started the tournament poorly raised their A game come the clutch moments most notably the semifinals and finals. They have done this time and again with their mental fortitude able to turn around any level of extreme pressure when it comes to the knock out phase. Australia haven't necessarily been the best team but they just always rise up when most needed and are undeniably unbelievably good at raising the bar in those clutch moments. 

They are now single handedly the undisputed most successful side in the history of world cup cricket especially with regard to big titles won and no other country lands a distant second. If one includes both the men's + women's combined records in World Cups, it's simply unenviable and doesn't look like being broken for the next century even if they don't happen to win anything from here on in. Such has been their dominance in the sport of cricket.

Coming to India they have been abysmally unlucky when it comes to the crunch moments. This particular defeat exacerbated the misery as it came in front of a jam packed rampaging home audience who were cheering on to end their tournament hoodoo but in eventuality it only compounded the sadness. Since their last major ICC tournament win, there have been 10 world cricketing events with India making the semifinals or finals in 9 of them but they couldn't convert the final outcome even in one of these. Consistency wise they have been the standout team but time and again failed during the inevitable horizon. It's almost become a mental or psychological issue as the team is faltering repeatedly only at the end.

The performance and skill set is definitely there as it could be argued that without it they cannot even be coming thus far every other time. But somehow the disintegration and melt down happens every time when they are just a game or two away from winning the tournament. Cricketing wise India are not the only side who have choked on important occasions but in recent times they lead the pack comprehensively. 

South Africa also have a pretty poor record when it comes to knockouts in ODI World cups. Since their re advent into cricket from the 1992 WC onwards they have lost in semifinals every alternate event ranging from 1992, 1999, 2007, 2015 and now 2023 with a majority of these being agonizingly close. They also bowed out of the 1996 and 2011 World cups in the quarter final stage thus not being able to win a single knock out game so far in ODI World Cups. The five times they made the semifinals, there were no quarter finals in those world cups meaning 7 times on 7 they have lost in the knock out games. Only 2 times in 2003 & 2019 they failed to make it to the knock out stage.

New Zealand on the other hand have also been a perennial short hand in knockout phases. They had reached the semifinals for the 5th straight time in 2023 but not able to even convert one of those into titles. Overall they have been at least into the semifinals on 8 occasions and finals twice in 13 World Cups but still don't have an ODI world cup to boast of.

Another team England who have a pretty poor record in finals turned it around by winning their first final on their 4th occasion albeit in a tied game decided by a super over on boundary count.

Looking at another team sport like Rugby, England have a similar poor record in the finals having won only once despite making the finals on 4 occasions. Ireland which is currently ranked as the best in the world currently have had perpetual heartbreak in the quarterfinals having not surpassed that stage 8 times. It almost seems as if they are cursed from not making it beyond the quarters. France has been another unlucky side losing all 3 finals they have played. The most impressive record however in Rugby happens to be the South African Springboks who unlike their cricketing counterparts the Proteas enjoy an enviable 4 out of 4 wins in the finals making them the most successful side in Rugby history. The All Blacks who are the next most successful with 3 titles have unfortunately lost both their finals to the same South African side.

Coming to football, Brazil has been the most successful in World Cups winning an unprecedented 5 titles. The next on the list is just 3 by Germany, Italy and Argentina. France who have won 2 titles in the last 25 years have also faced heartbreak losing 2 very close finals.

Thus, when it comes to team sports it's not necessarily been the most consistent and best side that has always won it but in fact the team which raises their ultimate game in the do or die crucial knock out stages. Most World Cups come down to winning just 2 matches viz the semifinal and the final and that is where some teams have faltered big time whereas certain sides soak the pressure and have that stone grind attitude to find a way how to win. South Africa in the Rugby World Cup 2023 in fact won their quarter final, semifinal and final each by just one point. Australia's record of 6 ODI titles in a total of 13 played is gut wrenching sensational considering that wins have come across different continents. It would perhaps rank as the greatest ever achievement by a sporting nation though it has to be factored in that only a few countries play cricket and even a lesser few have a stake at the trophy. Brazil's football tally of 5 is impressive though they haven't really come close to winning one in the last two decades.

Harping back to the post, it's ultimately just those tiny little moments that decide the outcome of not just a match but also a world championship. India's remarkable run in this World Cup in addition to their breathtaking form in world events over the course of the last decade hasn't yielded them any eventual final outcome. The luck factor and destiny also plays a huge role as it can be seen that India with a much weaker side of the past were able to spin off 3 major titles between 2007-2013 despite the performances in the other interim events not really being satisfactory.

On the whole it's just the fine margins. To break this long standing curse, it looks likely that luck and destiny also needs to go hand in hand along with the performances to bail the team out on those crunch tense finishes.

Sharing below a list of all ICC World cricketing events held in the men's game from the inception in 1975 with the winners and runner up in each edition. These are considered as the Big 4 tournaments with the ODI World Cup having a history of nearly half a century, Champions Trophy which began towards the end of the nineteenth century looks likely to be discontinued in the near  future, the current most popular T20 World Cup which also gets held every biennial year and the most recent World Test Championship which commenced recently after years of planning.

ODI World Cups
1) 1975 ODI WC - WI def Aus

2) 1979 ODI WC - WI def Eng

3) 1983 ODI WC - Ind def WI

4) 1987 ODI WC - Aus def Eng

5) 1992 ODI WC - Pak def Eng

6) 1996 ODI WC - SL def Aus

7) 1999 ODI WC - Aus def Pak

8) 2003 ODI WC - Aus def Ind

9) 2007 ODI WC - Aus def SL

10) 2011 ODI WC - Ind def SL

11) 2015 ODI WC - Aus def NZ

12) 2019 ODI WC - Eng def NZ

13) 2023 ODI WC - Aus def Ind

Total: Aus won 6, WI & Ind - 2, Pak, SL and Eng - 1

Champions Trophy
1) 1998 CT - SA def WI

2) 2000 CT - NZ def Ind

3) 2002 CT - SL & Ind joint winners

4) 2004 CT - WI def Eng

5) 2006 CT - Aus def WI

6) 2009 CT - Aus def NZ

7) 2013 CT - Ind def Eng

8) 2017 CT - Pak def Ind

Total: Aus & Ind - 2, SA, NZ, SL, WI, Pak - 1

T20 World Cup
1) 2007 T20 WC - Ind def Pak

2) 2009 T20 WC - Pak def SL

3) 2010 T20 WC - Eng def Aus

4) 2012 T20 WC - WI def SL

5) 2014 T20 WC - SL def Ind

6) 2016 T20 WC - WI def Eng 

7) 2021 T20 WC - Aus def NZ

8) 2022 T20 WC - Eng def Pak

Total: Eng & WI - 2, Ind, Pak, SL, Aus - 1

World Test Championship
1) 2021 WTC - NZ def Ind

2) 2023 WTC - Aus def Ind

Total: NZ & Aus - 1

Overall Total Count of Big 4 ICC Trophies
Aus - 10

Ind - 5

WI - 5

Pak - 3

SL - 3

Eng - 3

NZ - 2

SA - 1

It is pretty evident that Australia stands on top of the pile with 10 ICC World tournament victories. They are also the only side to have claimed all the Big 4 titles and have an extremely superior record hold especially in the ODI World Cups.

Australia have actually leap frogged in a big way over the last decade with double ODI trophies, a T20 WC win and also a Test Championship. Australia was 6 and India 5 before the ODI World Cup 2015 and since then Australia have scalped 4 more and raced away to double digit men's world titles. Purely taking finals, Australia have won 10 out of 13 finals played compared to India who have won only 5 out of 12 finals participated.

India on the other hand have been gravely unlucky. Nine times in the last 10 events they have reached the semifinals or finals. If they had at least converted the finals into victories, they would now be having about 9 titles in the kitty but the sad truth is they have not added to the 5 which they did over 10 years ago in the Champions Trophy of 2013. It clearly articulates Australia's big match temperament as they have been absolutely masterclass in finals not having lost a single final in their last 4 shots at the trophy. In today's era chances of winning world titles is much more than the bygone times purely because one has more opportunities. A 3 format player has a chance of a T20 WC and a WTC coming every alternate year. India's golden era of players have records absolutely to be proud of but when it comes down to team sport, they seem to be constantly falling at the final hurdle. There are 3 more chances coming up within the next one and half years viz the T20 WC 2024, CT 2025 and WTC 2025. It's a good chance to add extra titles but its essential that teams like India don't choke in the knock out games and end this unsavory precedent of not winning a singular world title despite being such a formidable and highly competitive side. 

India's 10 year draught in ICC World Cricket Tournaments

India's failure yet again to cross the finish line having bowed out to Australia in front of a jam packed voracious home crowd raises lot of questions and speculations with regard to India's ability to claim victory in major world cricketing tournaments. This unfortunate pattern has been repeating for far too long exposing the frailties and one doubts if it's a psychological issue as a team laden with such strength and skill sets who performs admirably well right through a competition manages to capitulate when it comes to the high pressure knock out games.

It is now a span of 10 completed years since India has won anything of repute with their last major victory coming in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. There are 3 more marquee world events expected to play out within the next one and half years comprising of the T20 World Cup in mid 2024 played in the US & Caribbean followed by the ODI Champions Trophy taking place in Pakistan in early 2025 followed by the 3rd cycle of the World Test Championship in England during the first half of 2025. In this interim period between 2013 to 2023, almost all the Test playing nations have captured a title barring South Africa and Bangladesh. This certainly isn't something to be proud of for a country rich in cricketing culture and heritage.

Let's briefly summarize the big ticket world cricketing events that have taken place since the ICC Champions Trophy in England, 2013.

1) 2014 T20 World Cup - Host Bangladesh - Winner Sri Lanka

2) 2015 ODI World Cup - Host Australia - Winner Australia

3) 2016 T20 World Cup - Host India - Winner West Indies

4) 2017 Champions Trophy - Host England - Winner Pakistan

5) 2019 ODI World Cup - Host England - Winner England

6) 2021 World Test Championship - Host England (Final) - Winner New Zealand

7) 2021 T20 World Cup - Host UAE (India holding Rights) - Winner Australia

8) 2022 T20 World Cup - Host Australia - Winner England

9) 2023 World Test Championship - Host England (Final) - Winner Australia 

10) 2023 ODI World Cup - Host India - Winner Australia

Thus one can see there have been regular major events held almost every year with India having plenty of opportunities but not being able to triumph in any of the 10 events since the last ascendancy coming way back in 2013. Former players, analysts, pandits and fans have been quite raucous with some even calling out for a major reshuffle in the side especially in the T20 format advocating for bringing in more fresh legs and eliminating some of the older folks. 

All this might seem to be a bit too harsh considering the team overall did play some spectacular cricket in the recently concluded ODI world cup with just one off day plunging their fortunes. The criticism may seem to be a bit too far fetched but one thing is pretty clear that people have short memories and it's only the victories that count at the end of the day. Actually speaking it might seem to be a bit of a misnomer but factually speaking India have actually been the stand out team in ICC events over the past decade. They have virtually done exceptionally well in almost all the big events but alas without any silverware to showcase. In majority of the cases, India have just been short of a match or two from winning the whole tournament. The biggest flaw has been that the team has not been able to seize the initiative and have lacked the killer instinct in the must win do or die knock out games. Sadly, India will have to abide with the title of perennial chokers till they get this monkey off the back by actually winning something of repute.

Sharing a brief synopsis of India's performances down the years in the ICC World Events.
2014 T20 World Cup:
India entered the finals and were considered firm favorites to romp home after their stellar victory over South Africa in the semi finals. The final opponents were Sri Lanka, the side India defeated in the 2011 ODI World Cup. The Lankans were firm underdogs but pulled off a spectacular showing in the finals to topple India. India's batting which was clicking match after match grossly underperformed in the final having scored just 130 in the allotted 20 overs having lost just 4 wickets. This was too meagre a total for the Lankans who managed to get there without much of a hassle.

2015 ODI World Cup:
India managed to reach the semi finals without battling a sweat. In fact they were the only unbeaten side along with New Zealand till that stage winning all 6 of their group games along with sweeping aside the Bangladeshis in the quarter final encounter. But when it came to the big match semifinal against the hosts, India came a cropper caving in rather tamely. Australia put up a 300 plus score on the board with India never in the hunt losing by almost a three figure mark.

2016 T20 World Cup:
This was a home World Cup for India and the performance in the beginning was kind of muted. They however stepped up with a closely fought must win encounter against Bangladesh followed by a sizzling closely fought quarter final win over the Aussies setting up a semi final showdown against the Windies at the Wankhede. India put up a score of almost 200 and looked to drive home the advantage but this time the bowling didn't step up when needed allowing the Windies to go surging past the total. This was a great opportunity lost to win a world cup title at home.

2017 Champions Trophy:
Another tournament dominated by India till they came undone pretty badly in the finals against arch rivals Pakistan. India had in fact comfortably hammered the same opposition in the group stage match but when it came to the final, India were totally outclassed losing by a mammoth 180 run margin. India had again come in as the favorites for the final but the manner of defeat was pretty searing to say the least.

2019 ODI World Cup:
This was a 10 team edition with each team getting to play each other and the top 4 teams making it to the semi finals. India finished right on top of the 10 teams and got to play the Kiwis who had finished 4th. India again went into the semi finals as firm favorites but again swallowed the opportunity by failing to chase a reasonable score put up by New Zealand in a rain marred game. The batting totally let them down with the team losing wickets in a heap at the beginning. Jadeja and Dhoni did offer a great fightback but it was too much to claw at and in the end it was a bitter pill to swallow for India. This was perhaps one of the best chances missed by India to claim a World Cup in England since their maiden memorable victory way back in 1983. 

2021 T20 World Cup:
This was perhaps the only time India never really showed up in a world event over the last many years. India succumbed to Pakistan finally in a World Cup match losing their golden run that too in an abject embarrassing manner going down by 10 wickets. In the other must win game against their nemesis Kiwis, India's batting faltered again allowing New Zealand to win easily. Thus, India was knocked out of the tournament before the semifinals and it was quite a major disappointment. The event was supposed to be staged in India but got moved over to the Emirates due to the Covid factor with India still retaining the hosting rights for the event.

2021 World Test Championship: (2019-2021 Window)
This was the first ever Test Championship to have been staged after years of contemplation. The top two sides were to meet in the final and India were placed right at the top with an impressive array of victories in the test format during the window of 2019-2021 including a famous back to back series win down under against the Aussies. India again were tipped as favorites going into the final but again came undone against a methodological and resolute New Zealand side. This was the first world test championship to be conducted and it can be said that India certainly missed a golden chance to go atop the honors board.

2022 T20 World Cup:
Another World Cup and another disappointment. India won the game of the tournament against their arch rivals Pakistan and easily made it to the semifinals again topping their group. But it was an absolute day to forget for the Indians in the semi finals as a marauding England side made mincemeat of India's target barraging past the total without battling an eyelid not even losing a solitary wicket in the process. Australian conditions were suiting the Indian batsman and it looked like something huge was finally coming India's way but alas it was again not to be. 

2023 World Test Championship: (2021-2023 Window)
This was the second time the World Test Championship was being staged and India again found themselves among the top two teams and this time it was a new opponent in the form of Australia who were appearing in their first WTC final. India had just recently defeated the same side in a home test series and would have gone in with some confidence. But some poor reading of the conditions along with blatant selection mistakes cost India the match right on the first day after initiating the opposition into bat. It was again a wonderful opportunity missed through the door as India again earned the tag of being runners up for a second straight showing.

2023 ODI World Cup:
This would arguably rank as the biggest colossal monumental disappointment especially considering the way India had gone right through the tournament literally dispatching, demolishing and decimating all the opponents who had come by their wayside. This time they managed to overcome the Kiwis in the semifinal and taken their win count to 10 wins on the trot. But come the all important final when India went in as clear favorites, the ship sank once again in what was the biggest game of their lives in front of a massive home crowd. The pitch was perhaps the biggest deterrent but once again cometh the moment, India just caved into the pressure and succumbed meekly against an Aussie side who further cemented their legacy as the greatest white ball champions in the history of cricket. This was a complete all encompassing performance with almost not an iota to criticize but it all unfortunately fell apart in the marquee final once again putting an abrupt halt to what had been an absolutely impressive show until then.

India's 3 major world titles in 2007, 2011 and 2013:
India did win 3 major titles viz the T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup and the Champions Trophy all within the span of 2007-13. This might sound like a golden period but not many can recall that India faltered big time in all the other world tourneys around that ball park. After winning the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, India failed to even reach the semi finals in the next 3 editions that took place in 2009, 2010 and 2012. India also failed to muster up at the 2009 Champions Trophy by not being able to reach the knock out phase in continuation to what happened at home three years prior in CT 2006. But what matters is when it really came down to being noticed, India under the astute tutelage of Mahendra Singh Dhoni were able to claim 3 major world events within a short span by establishing to go all the way. A young India did the unthinkable by claiming the inaugural T20 World Cup. India were able to soak all the pressure and raised their game in the crucial stages to win the home ODI World Cup in 2011. India also managed to rake up a Champions Trophy victory by defeating the hosts England in the final in a rain curtailed 20 over game. 

Conclusion:
Thus stats and performance points out that India have not at all been a bad side when it comes to the major cricketing events conducted over the last decade. There have been some exceptional efforts coupled with plenty of individual brilliance but however when it really came to the crunch India as a team have not been able to deliver. It feels like a "Catch 22" situation but India have virtually been just a game or two away from winning almost all the major ICC events. It is definitely an irony that India has not been able to convert even one of those into a celebration. It has to be said that India has been poor when it comes to the clutch and this has happened a little way too often than expected. Nowadays, chances of winning big tournaments are higher for the players as many world cups keep happening routinely unlike the good old days when there was only one ODI world cup scheduled every 4 years. India have had too many one off bad days and every time that has come to haunt at the back end of the tournament unfortunately stalling their progress further. It may be argued that it's just a matter of time but India do have to measure and step up big time in the crucial stages. This current defeat in the home ODI World Cup of 2023 will rankle them no end as just one bad game curtailed their entire array of sterling performance right through the tournament. The pressure is only going to be all the more immense going forward with plenty of things to ponder like handling of senior players and getting the right mix in place for all 3 formats - Tests, ODIs and T20s. Hoping India is somehow able to get the mickey off the back and claim an illustrious multi nation cup victory very soon. It may be an irony but the fact is that consistent showings count for nothing because ultimately what sticks in memory is who wins at the end of the day.

Lionel Messi Drawing Parallels with Sachin Tendulkar

The FIFA World Cup 2022 played out in Doha, Qatar ended in sterling style with Argentina clinching the title after 36 years in what could arguably be described as a game for the ages. It would not only go down as one of the greatest finals ever contested but even as a solitary match would easily stake claim as perhaps the finest football World Cup match ever played. The Germany vs Italy semifinal of 1970 is largely considered as the greatest World cup match ever contested but this encounter between France and Argentina in 2022 probably pips that one and takes the cake.

The initial Football World Cup was played way back in 1930 and it's been in operation for almost a century of years being rich in history and tradition. The silver lining with regard to this match was that it had to come at the most pinnacle junction like a final which made the whole event all the more awe inspiring. One of the games greatest Lionel Andres Messi finally got his hands on the coveted Jules Rimet trophy, the one eluding him that he was waiting dearly for so long and it just ended up being so very extra special that it had to happen in his final World Cup appearance.

The game had it's ebbs and flows right from around the second portion of the second half. Until then for almost 75 minutes, Argentina had dominated the match in what initially appeared like a lackluster performance by France only to suddenly turn it around thanks to their talisman Kylian Mbappe who produced a blitzkrieg of a hat trick literally out of nowhere and nearly snatched it for France. It was a bit depressing for the defending champions France to eventually bow out on penalty kicks having come so close and virtually having one hand at the trophy.

However the final hurrah was reserved for one man Argentina's Lionel Messi. He came agonizingly close to capturing the trophy 8 years back in 2014 but which ended in heart breaking fashion as Germany made the decisive move to capture the crucial winning goal in the wee minutes of extra time. Messi being the player of the tournament was no solace as he so badly wanted the victors medal but alas it was not to be. The heart break continued again in 2018 as Argentina came undone against a quality young French side in the quarter finals who eventually would go on to claim the title. 2022 was Messi's last chance and a failure again would have deemed to be catastrophical. At the same time there was so much weight riding on Messi's shoulders to emulate the feat of Diego Maradona and anything other than a first placed finish was simply not good enough. Also to end up with no World Cup for not only the most seasoned player of his generation but also of all time would just be unacceptable. God however wrote the perfect script and Messi did eventually see his dream coming true with his beloved Argentinian side clinching victory in an unprecedented anti climax fashion to finally cement their side a World Cup medal after 1986 when Messi wasn't even born then.

The obvious comparison with Messi finally being a World Cup winner would be to line him up with his immortal country man Diego Maradona who performed a similar feat in 1986. It was as if the monkey was finally off Messi's back as he ultimately sealed glory alongside Maradona in being a World Champion himself. It would have even more amazing if Maradona was alive and witness to this. However there is no doubt that the great legend would have been blessing Albiceleste from the stars. Another of the comparison would have been with his illustrious peer Cristiano Ronaldo who along with Lionel Messi have been staving off comparisons over more than a decade now as to who is the greatest in the present generation. Messi has certainly leapfrogged Ronaldo with this success as CR7s only major triumph for his country Portugal came in the Euro 2016 when they upstaged France in the final. With this monumental triumph however, Messi also officially has staked his claim to be the GOAT alongside former winners Pele and Maradona. Incidentally, Pele, Maradona and Messi contributed with exactly a total of 10 Goals/Assists during their respective world cup winning conquests in 1970, 1986 and 2022 respectively. 

Despite the heavy comparisons with former football players feats, the one which attracts an eerie level of coincidence happens to be with one of the torchbearers of Indian cricket namely Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. Though Football and Cricket are sports as different as chalk & cheese, the situations in both Messi and Sachin's case appear so similar and it's remarkable that they just have so much in common with respect to their World Cup journeys.

Looking below at some of the engaging and interesting commonalities that have transpired in the lives of two of the greatest sportsmen from their respective fields of play:

1) Jersey Check - Both Sachin Tendulkar and Lionel Messi wore jerseys with the number 10 inscribed during their World Cup campaign.

2) Birth Date Check - Both are born on a #6 as per numerology and more specifically on the 24th of a calendar month. (Sachin 24th April 1973, Messi 24th June 1987)

3) Stature Check - Both are built around the same height measuring about 5'7 and considered to be the shortest players of their respective sides.

4) Heartbreak Check - Both encountered heart break losing the final of a World Cup 2 editions previous to their last and exactly 8 years prior. (Sachin in 2003 and Messi in 2014)

5) Player of the Tournament Check - Both were Player of the Tournament in their respective World Cup event despite not going on to win the trophy for their respective countries.

6) Appearance Check - Both of them have represented their countries in maximum World Cup campaigns in Cricket and Football respectively (Sachin with 6 and Messi with 5) 

7) 2nd Highest Scorer Check - Both ended up being the 2nd highest run and goal scorer respectively during their victorious campaign with the highest coming from the losing side playing the final (Dilshan for Sri Lanka and Mbappe for France) 

8) Defeat of Previous World Cup Winner Check - Both their sides India and Argentina defeated previous World Cup champions Australia (2007 Cricket World Cup Winner) and France (2018 Football World Cup Winner) on their way to victory. (India beat Australia in Quarter Finals and Argentina defeated France in the finals) 

9) One Match Defeat Check - Both their teams lost only one match in the entire tournament which came during the group stages (India against South Africa and Argentina against Saudi Arabia) 

10) Player of Match in Semifinals Check - Both were player of the match in their respective semi finals en-route to the final. (Sachin vs Pakistan and Messi vs Croatia) 

11) Previous World Cup win in 80s check - Both their teams previous World Cup victory incidentally occurred in the 80s. (India in 1983 and Argentina in 1986) 

12) World Cup Victory Multiple Check - Both Sachin and Messi finally realized their long standing dream of winning the coveted World Cup title in their last attempt and coincidentally it came in years involving multiples of 11. (Sachin in 2011 and Messi in 2022) 

13) Post Retirement Check - This is rather more of a cheeky one. Both were largely expected to hang their boots after their final world cup hurrah especially since this was what they were expecting to fructify during their lifetimes with the sport they love. However that was not to be the case as Sachin continued to play for a couple more years after that and with respect to Messi's case, he has just hinted in a post match interview that he intends to continue a wee bit longer in the Argentina shirt.

Thus is a short similarities compendium of the World Cup winning journeys of 2 amazing sportsmen who carried the entire burden of their respective nations on their shoulders and finally achieved unprecedented iconic status by winning the biggest prize the sport has to offer.

Nostalgic World Cup memories recirculated after 23 and a half years

There are certain memories etched vividly in the mind and one such is the NZ vs Eng clash on Feb 14th 1996. I started following cricket seriously around the autumn of 1994 and the 1996 world cup happened to be my first big ticket tournament experience as a fan.

I was so excited about the Wills World Cup being staged in the sub continent and had done a thorough homework pertaining to the history of the past 5 world cups thanks mainly to a red covered book of Gulu Ezekiel 'The Story of World Cup Cricket' which gave a brief synopsis along with score lines of all the previous editions from 1975-1992.

The world cup in 1996 opened with the New Zealand vs England clash and as it was a school going weekday, I recall rushing back as soon as the last bell rang at 2:45 pm from P. S Senior Sec School, Mylapore to scamper home to watch a closely contested tussle which NZ held on to sneak through thanks largely to a platform laying hundred by Nathan Astle.

Over the years since 1996, England's performances have nose dived in world cups with them hardly ever putting even a meek foot forward whereas the Kiwis have consistently managed to get to a top 4 finish in most of the events gone by with even a final run finish in the last Trans Tasman edition in 2015.

And now almost 23 and a half years and 7 world cups later nostalgia is recirculated as these very same teams who I witnessed playing a world cup game for the first time in 1996 are locking horns with each other to earn their maiden World cup triumph. May the best team win!
#nostalgicmemories #beforegooglewasborn #preinternetdays #14feb1996to14jul2019 #longworldcupjourney #engvsnz #iccworldcup2019

Disappointing Exit in a Knock Out Clash

It must be very hard going hammer & tongs at a team who've performed admirably well during this whole World cup campaign but the ultimate truth is that this defeat would rank as one of the lowest ebbs in India's cricketing cabinet.

This was perhaps easily the greatest chance to win a world cup title and to go down against an unfanciful team like the Kiwis who themselves have had a history of getting outgunned by fellow Asians Pakistan (1992 & 1999) and Sri Lanka (2007 & 2011) in the semifinals hurts really bitter. This is one defeat which is personally a bit too painful as I've been slowly but surely dreaming of the big picture for sometime now. Especially having been in sterling form throughout the tournament swatting past virtually all opponents with ease, the expectations of the big triumph slowly started resonating. And when the moment came to actually stand up and conquer the world in the big knock out clash, the performance wasn't there to witness. The fall came at the most opportune time when it mattered the most.

I really don't have the heart like many to say 'well played guys, you fought till the very end' as finally it's the falling short which is harrowing the thoughts as history isn't created or replicated so easily. Today is an extremely disappointing day in the annals of Indian cricket and personally as a fan, this pill is too contaminated to swallow. Few days reminisced make me sad with respect to Indian cricket and this chance gone abegging stands added to the list of Indian cricketing woes.