Pressure does crazy things in sport. It was evident at the Kensington Oval Stadium in Georgetown, Barbados, on Saturday. It proved overwhelming for South Africa, who inexplicably faltered from a position of triumph. As Aiden Markram would say later, it left them utterly gutted.
With 30 run needed 30 boll and six wickets still in hand, there was only one winner realistically possible at that stage – the batting side. South Africa still managed to lose from that situation. They did not know what hit them. Over the “next few weeks”, they will try to deep dive to find out “what went wrong.”
The pressure weighed heavily on India too, but they navigated it with impeccable composure. “We will not give up till the last ball is bowled,” Rohit Sharma impelled his teammates in the middle.Jasprit Bumrah, a reliable and an all-weather aide for any captain, bowled two overs, conceding only four runs each. In the remaining three overs, Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya bowled with immense intent and determination, delivering game-changing moments. Suryakumar Yadav’s alertness and alacrity at the boundary was equally dramatic. Against all odds, India seized a seven-run victory from the cusp of defeat.
Long after the match had ended, the celebrations concluded, spectators departed, and stadium staff tidied up, the Indian team remained in the dressing room. Around 5:30 pm local time (3 am IST), they emerged onto the pitch for one last visit. Gathering in a huddle at the centre of the pitch, they engaged in discussions amongst themselves for half an hour. There were speeches and applause and they were in no mood to let go of the precious triumphant moments. It showed how much they wanted the trophy and how much they yearned for it.
“A champion is unflappable under pressure, they retain the ability to make good decisions, think clearly and attack the task in front of them with confidence, enthusiasm and tenacity,” sports psychologist and researcher Simon Boulter writes. “No athlete is immune to pressure, their heart rate rises, they breathe quicker, depending on how well prepared and confident they are, pressure can make them perform better or worse.”
The English researcher could have been referring to Rohit and his team when he wrote about the ability to withstand and handle pressure. In such situations, it all comes down to belief, and the Indian team displayed an abundance of it. “I really wanted this trophy,” Rohit later admitted.
He had a clear plan in mind. Opting to set a target with runs on the board in a crucial match, he felt, is the better option and he was ready for the consequences. While fielding, he didn’t overlook the nuances that lesser athletes might miss in such tense moments. He factored in the wind direction, strategically forcing the South African batters to play against it. To create pressure and induce dot balls, his field placement was on-point, even accounting for straighter hits. He realised that given the nature of the pitch, hitting square wasn’t easy. Even in what seemed like a hopeless situation, he remained hopeful – a testament to the team’s never-say-die spirit.
“It’s not a specific moment, it’s an overall game of 40 overs and if you look at a couple of moments potentially where you could have done better,” said a distraught Markram. “Someone’s going to win, someone’s going to lose. And we’ll try to use it to fire us up for future events.” Desperate for a trophy and having had some close moments in previous ICC events, the Indian team was not prepared for another setback
After what could have been a match-winning 24-run over, with Heinrich Klaasen in superb form, South Africa raced to 147/4 and needed just 30 off the last five. This was at a time when India’s reliable stalwarts – the spinners – faltered, leaking 106 runs in nine overs – at an alarming rate of nearly 12 runs per over, while the initial required rate was less than nine. The situation looked dire for India. Yet, Rohit remained resolute. Their strategy was focused on extending the match to the final over. From 16th to 19th over, India tightened the screws, conceding just 14 runs and claiming four wickets. Hardik Pandya had the luxury of 16 runs to defend.
Those experienced in managing IPL teams emphasise the importance of playing as a close-knit unit, which the current team management made sure was the case. It was also a testament to the conviction of coach Rahul Dravid, who decided to stay on until this World Cup. It has also now emerged that Dravid had insisted that Rohit be the captain for this World Cup, at a time there were even doubts about his place in the squad. Both Dravid and Rohit effectively managed this diverse group of superstars. “Without such unity, winning championships is nearly impossible,” explains a manager from an IPL team.
“It’s good to be with good people. I mean, you said it, so I’m good. And Rahul bhai too. Rahul bhai too. No, no, he’s good. I’m very happy for Rahul bhai too. He’s done so much for Indian cricket. That’s what Rahul Bhai means. He has worked hard with this team for the last three years. His instincts were suppressed many times,” Rohit said, showing how happy he was for the coach.
The lessons from the IPL were also invaluable. The players understand how to navigate various pressures across bowling, fielding, and other aspects of the game. For instance, Suryakumar’s exceptional catch in the deep underscored their ability to handle critical moments, as much as Arshdeep’s final two overs and Pandya’s last over. Many countries, such as the United Kingdon, boast top leagues in football and yet it doesn’t translate into World Cup wins. If India have managed to succeed, it is not without the contribution and lessons from the IPL.