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It's been almost a decade since Team India tasted success in an ICC tournament. It was in 2013 when MS Dhoni-led India clinched the Champions Trophy in England and since then, the Men in Blue have failed to win an ICC multinational competition despite being one of the favourites heading into several tournaments. This time too, Rohit Sharma's men are definite contenders to win the 2022 T20 World Cup and when it comes to the preparations, they are as well or even better prepared than other participating nations.
Former captain and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar is also of the opinion that if things don't go India's way in the multi-national tournament this time around also, then it wouldn't be for the lack of preparation.
"One thing for sure. If the Indian team does not win this T20 World Cup it won't be for lack of preparation. Not only have they gone to Australia almost three weeks before their first game of the tournament, they are also playing practice games against good sides that should get them ready for the tournament. The old saying, 'if you fail to prepare then prepare to fail' will not apply to this Indian team as, apart from these games in Australia, they also played six T20 matches at home and won four out of those to show that they are tuning in nicely for the big event," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day.
While injuries to Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja came as major setbacks for the Men in Blue, Gavaskar reckons that the Indian squad has enough firepower and potential to reign supreme Down Under.
"India's performance in the white ball bilaterals has always been good, be it at home or overseas, but it's in the multilateral events that they have been stumbling. In the past it's been because they have come cold into the event. But that isn't the case this time around and that's why, with a terrific blend of youth and experience, there's optimism among Indian cricket fans that the Cup should be coming home. Yes, the other teams have also been playing practice games and that should hold them in good stead, but there's a buzz about this Indian team despite the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja," he added.
In just three days' time, one of the biggest rivalries in professional sports is set to reignite with over a billion people hooked to television sets while being tucked in their comfortable couches. In the Super-12 stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup, the inaugural champions India will cross swords against arch-rivals Pakistan, who clinched the glittering silverware in 2009 and the excitement for the high-voltage contest is escalating at a rapid pace.
India and Pakistan are scheduled to lock horns in a blockbuster contest on October 23 (Sunday) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Both teams are expected to land heavy punches to secure an all-important win to start their campaign in tremendous fashion. After all, well begun is half done!
