NEW DELHI: As the 2024
ICC T20 World Cup
kicks off in the USA, the burning question for Indian cricket fans remains: Will
Team India
end their long-standing
ICC trophy
drought?
India commenced their World Cup preparations with an emphatic victory over Bangladesh in their sole warm-up match held in New York. The team is set to begin their official campaign on Wednesday against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, also in New York.
The highly anticipated group stage clash against arch-rivals Pakistan is scheduled for June 9.
Discussing India's prospects on Star Sports, former cricketers
Sanjay Manjrekar
and
Navjot Singh Sidhu
emphasized the importance of backing experienced players to triumph in the tournament’s crucial matches.
Manjrekar expressed confidence that the time is ripe for Team India to break their ICC trophy drought. He highlighted
Virat Kohli
's exceptional record in the tournament, yet lamented the lack of a trophy to show for it. According to Manjrekar, the expectations have shifted from merely playing well to winning pivotal matches.
"Ab waqt aa gaya hai, inteha ho gayi hai. 2007 me jeete the. Abhi humne kaha ki Virat Kohli ki itne records hai, sab kuch hai, milestones hai lekin ICC trophy kahaan hai? 2011 ke baad zyada kuch huwa nahi, jabse MS Dhoni chale gaye hai woh trophies aana bhi humare almari me woh bandh ho gaya hai," Manjrekar remarked.
"Badi kahani yeh hogi, India ne experience ko back kiya hai. Phir se ek baar. Ek badi ICC event me. Semi-final aa jao, aur final jeeto - toh yeh abhi expectation hai. Not to play well in the tournament but to win the big matches," he added.
Agreeing with Manjrekar, Navjot Singh Sidhu, known for his poetic expressions, elaborated on the high expectations from Team India.
"Koi bhi kitaab madhya me jaane ke liye nahi padta - You don't read a book to reach the middle. It is the ending of the story which is most important. You rate ability in men by what they finish, not by what they attempt. Toh kahani khatam kaise karenge uspe nirbhar karta hai," Sidhu stated.
As the tournament unfolds, Indian fans hope their team will not only make it to the semi-finals but also clinch the trophy, ending a dry spell that has lasted since their 2013 Champions Trophy win. The focus is clear: it's time for India to win the big matches and bring home the coveted ICC trophy.
English (US) ·