Crushed by the loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, India have bounced back to win two ICC titles within a year. Naman Agarwal writes on a comeback that has healed a billion hearts.
"It took me a year to recover from it and I don't think I was ever quite the same after that." Dale Steyn, just like every other South Africa player, was shattered by their defeat to New Zealand in the 2015 World Cup semi-final.
"Under Brazilian law, the maximum sentence is 30 years. But my imprisonment has been for 50." Brazilian goalkeeper Moacir Barbosa was treated as an outcast by society for the rest of his life after he conceded two goals against Uruguay in the 1950 FIFA World Cup which led to fans dying of heart attacks, Brazil changing their "cursed" kit colour from white to yellow and green, and several other long-lasting repercussions.
When elite athletes pour their heart, sweat, and blood into an endeavour, almost reach the zenith, but are not able to cross the final hurdle, they break. Often irrevocably.
The 2023 ODI World Cup was same for India. It was their destiny. Until it wasn't.
A billion supporters went down the Dale Steyn path on November 19. Rohit Sharma and team would have felt the same. For the whole country, ICC trophies had already lost their charm the moment Glenn Maxwell hit the winning runs. For solace, they would have turned to the IPL; the fan-wars would continue and Indian cricket would keep churning out new talent.
But that's the beauty of time. It changes.
Fifteen months and 20 days later, India, led by the same man, have bagged two trophies in two formats.
Now, it can never make up for the heartbreak of 2023, which would always remain the one that got away. But the two titles signify two steps, no, two massive, healing leaps from a setback that could have been career-ending for some and life-changing for many.
The healing has come sooner than expected, and is a testament to the skill, quality, and mental resolve of everyone involved.
India entered the Champions Trophy as firm favourites, unlike the 2024 T20 World Cup, where there were question marks over their balance and the form of multiple players. But by no means was this team without uncertainties of their own.
Since the start of 2024, they had played only six ODIs, three of which had come about eight months back. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, their two ODI batting behemoths, were coming off the back of a forgettable Australia tour. Jasprit Bumrah, their biggest strike weapon, was out. There was little to say Mohammed Shami could be back to his best after injury.
By stroke of luck, Shreyas Iyer, the tournament's second-highest run-getter, only managed to find a place in the XI because Virat Kohli got injured during the England ODIs. Varun Chakravarthy, who took nine wickets from three games, was a last-minute addition to the squad. Harshit Rana was uncapped in ODIs when he replaced Bumrah. Mohammed Siraj, who boasts of jaw-dropping ODI numbers in the last few years, wasn't picked.
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There were some advantages too: they didn't need to move out of Dubai, and the spin-friendly surfaces were of benefit. But India had Pakistan and Bangladesh in the group, two Asian teams who wouldn't exactly crumble to spin. The other team was New Zealand, whose spinners had recently led a 3-0 Test rout in India.
India also had to play their semi-final just a day's gap after their last league game. The advantages weren't as significant as the noise outside made it out to be.
India's bullish approach, set to a template, made their 2023 World Cup campaign so special. Opponents knew what was coming. They were able to replicate that in the Champions Trophy. The wizardry of India's spin quartet kept fans hooked. Kohli channelled his inner Kohli and made singles look sexy again. Rahul nailed the finisher's role, remaining unbeaten in each of the three run-chases. Shami was back in the wickets. And Rohit smashed at the top.
Also read: Strong links only: Why India’s Champions Trophy campaign ranks as ODI history’s most perfect
With this, India have now gone two back-to-back white-ball tournaments without dropping a game.
Australia did the same across the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, but India have done it across different formats. The first of those came months after the 2023 World Cup, and felt like India were on the rebound. It was still the T20 format, fickle and unpredictable.
This victory feels like collective vindication of the efforts of the last three campaigns. There will always be asterisks as long as you look for them. For some, the Champions Trophy will always remain a tournament of confusing value. But for India, this can mark the start of something special, if it isn't already.
While defeats can break players and disband teams, they are often also catalysts for revival. After their 1950 World Cup loss, the Brazil football team went on to win three of the next five editions. For India, the next two targets are the 2026 T20 World Cup at home, and the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa.
They have a well-settled teams for both formats now. After a decade-long barren run, they have tasted blood and will now be hungry for more.
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