India’s big guns should be well-rested from the exertions in the IPL when they start their campaign in the T20 World Cup. Especially with none of the chosen 15 featuring in the final a week ago, and the team that finished rock bottom contributing the highest number of players to the squad. The players will have to cultivate their own confidence, as none of them will have the knowledge of winning a big prize in the previous few weeks at the back of their minds.

As always, India will be among the favourites for the top prize – but that has been the case for more than a decade, during which time they have failed to add to their trophy cabinet. If hype could win tournaments, no other team would have a chance.
The competition begins in the unknown cricketing territory of the United States, but barring a cricketing disaster, India’s fate will be decided in the Caribbean.

The game against Pakistan in New York may contribute towards generating eyeballs and media interest in a cricket-agnostic land, but it’s unlikely to have much bearing on the prospects of either team going ahead in the event. Even during the barren last decade or so, making the business end of big tournaments hasn’t been an issue for India, it’s what they do once they get there. After the 2007 50-over World Cup, ironically also in the West Indies, where both India and Pakistan went out early, the format of every ICC tournament ensures India’s involvement for as long as possible.

But when it gets to the pointy end, with the stakes at their highest, that’s where India have been known to falter. Last year, after playing like a dream at the 50-over World Cup at home, the hopes of billions came crashing down on coronation day.

Hype over substance

The IPL is considered the best, toughest, most competitive domestic T20 league in the world, much like the English Premier League is said to be the No.1 equivalent in club football. But it has been almost 60 years since England lifted a major cup, while India’s only T20 world title predates the IPL.

It may be because these domestic tournaments nurture a mythology (even hagiography) of their own, with objectivity becoming a casualty. Look back at how the recent IPL season became almost an MS Dhoni farewell tour – even though it’s not yet certain that it was his final tournament – and Virat Kohli was portrayed as someone bigger than his franchise.

If Dhoni had not already retired from international cricket, there would have been a clamour for having him in the India squad based on the sixes and fours he hit during his limited time at the crease in the IPL, regardless of the fact that there were several players who won matches in his position in the tournament.

The obsession with Kohli’s strike rate almost became a tournament in itself, his spat with critics dominating the narrative to such an extent that the focus fell on the evolution of his batsmanship rather than what suits his team best.

Many observers from overseas have been awed by the richness of Indian talent and the strength in depth. One has said that India is the biggest favourite for the T20 World Cup, judging by the players who have been left out of the squad. In fact, India’s chances are being played up more abroad while the frequent disappointments on the big stage have prompted hopes to be a bit mellow at home.

That’s because the modern way of batting in T20 cricket is not something that the Indian seniors have largely followed, even in the IPL. As Rohit Sharma and Kohli will be batting in the top order inside the Powerplay – they could even be opening – the fearless brand that regularly results in scores well in excess of 200 may be difficult to get. India may need the firepower provided by Shivam Dube in the middle order to get to above-par scores, but that may have to come at the expense of Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Already, Rinku Singh and Shubman Gill have no place in the touring party. If the pitches in the Caribbean turn out to be low, slow, and aiding spin, totals of 160-170 could be competitive. But that would put the onus on the bowlers, and apart from Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, India’s bowling resources don’t elicit envy.

The selectors have provided a spin-heavy attack but Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are similar players and Yuzvendra Chahal is not useful with the bat.

The Impact Player rule in the IPL has reduced the incentive for players to develop a second facet of their game that could be useful in the World Cup, where it’s still 11 vs 11. Also, many times, players who are in the national squad were substituted out or used as Impact Subs, so they didn’t have to field for 20 overs. They won’t have that luxury in the United States and West Indies.

Other contenders

Taking a look at the other teams, Australia and England may have the advantage of playing all their matches in the West Indies, in contrast to India and Pakistan who will have to come down after playing their group matches in the States. West Indies have underwhelmed as a team of late but may find some inspiration as hosts. Their main players are all proficient in the format as they play in leagues all round the world, making them a dangerous proposition, even if Sunil Narine, the Most Valuable Player in the IPL, won’t be at hand. Several players of these teams are coming off stellar IPL seasons, so will be in rhythm and full of confidence.

So, India start another campaign in search of the elusive silverware. The broadcasters have started doing their thing, raising expectations and appealing to the public’s patriotic instincts in their promotional campaigns, as nothing pulls at the heartstrings more than the Indian cricket team.

But as Amon Goeth said in Schindler’s List: “This is really cruel, Oskar. You are giving them hope. You shouldn’t do that. *That’s* cruel!”