T20 World Cup: Key Decisions that Ended India’s Trophy Drought
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The T20 World Cup saw India break their long-standing trophy drought, thanks to several pivotal decisions and strategies. A crucial promise from Hardik Pandya to BCCI secretary Jay Shah played a significant role in forming the winning combination for the tournament held in the US and West Indies.
Early Decisions on Team Pillars: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
At the start of the year, national selectors and top BCCI officials made bold choices regarding team veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Despite facing criticism, their conviction in these decisions brought together the 15 cricketers who would eventually secure India’s World Cup triumph.
Before Ajit Agarkar assumed the role of chairman of selectors, India seemed ready to move beyond Rohit and Kohli in T20Is, with Hardik Pandya as the leader and Shubman Gill as the opener.
However, Agarkar and his team questioned the timing of this transition.
A pivotal conversation with Rohit led to his agreement to give T20 another shot, while Kohli’s impressive IPL performance and the underwhelming show by Shubman Gill and Yashaswi Jaiswal secured his place as an opener.
Hardik Pandya’s Commitment and Strategy
Hardik Pandya’s willingness to bowl, especially after a long injury layoff, was a key factor.
During an informal meeting at the May-June IPL, Hardik’s commitment to leading Mumbai Indians and his assurance to bowl regularly convinced the selectors of his importance to the team’s success.
Banking on Left-Arm Spin
Data from the West Indies highlighted the effectiveness of left-arm spinners on slow Caribbean pitches.
Recognizing this pattern, the selectors strategically included left-arm spinners in the squad, understanding their ability to consistently attack the stumps and remain integral in the game.
“We saw a pattern where left-arm spinners had a big role to play in T20s in the Caribbean. On slow pitches, because they attack the stumps more, they were always in the game,” a source explained.
The combination of early decisions on key players, Hardik Pandya’s commitment to bowling, and the strategic inclusion of left-arm spinners formed the foundation of India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign.
These calculated moves by the national selectors and BCCI officials ended India's decade-long wait for a World Cup trophy.
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