Sporting teams mired in fixing controversies, historically, end up outperforming in a subsequent sporting event, the flag bearer being Italian football in 2006. Can India replicate the same and bring back smiles on a billion plus faces?
Relevant Form
The ICC Champions Trophy 2013 will be played during the early summer in the United Kingdom. In a bid to avoid low scoring games on seaming fresh pitches, excess swing early or under lights, and for peak television slots, the organisers have agreed on a 10:30 am start for day games.
This move was necessary as the 50 over format is getting the slow death treatment. Incidentally, this is the last edition of the Champions Trophy. Yet, since Indian batsmen develop cold feet versus any bowler jogging in from a distance, especially when it is overseas, it’s pertinent to dissect their performance in the recent past in similar conditions.
Since the start of 2011, India played 22 matches outside the subcontinent, winning 7 and losing 12. While the 30% win percentage doesn’t make good reading, it’s a fair reflection, considering India locked horns with five different teams in four different continents.
Yet, they will land on the shores of England and Wales as the World Champion in the longest limited over format of the game. Add the lenses, scribes and anti-corruption blokes (who will now be stalking them more than ever), and MS Dhoni’s boys will continue being the most popular sporting team on earth during the month.
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