Flashback 2023: Asia Cup 2023 win catalysed India’s good show in the 2023 ODI World Cup
The 2023 Asia Cup win was a big achievement for Team India led by Rohit Sharma. Since the 2013 Champions Trophy win under MS Dhoni, India have failed to bag another ICC title, with the 2023 ODI World Cup producing another heartbreak for Team India and their fans. In between, India won a tri-nation series in West Indies under Dhoni, and the 2018 Asia Cup under Rohit in the 50-overs format.
But the 2023 Asia Cup win could be counted as a major success compared to other multi-nation tournament wins for the reason that it paved the way for India to launch a memorable ODI World Cup campaign despite the loss in the final.
So, how can the 2023 Asia Cup win be relatively rated to any other multi-nation tournament win for India?
India shed their choker’s tag, albeit momentarily
Just a year ago, India was knocked out of the 2022 Asia Cup before they were humiliated by England by 10 wickets in the 2022 World T20 semis. They also ended runners-up twice in straight World Test Championship finals. Just like winning is a habit, losing is the same. But India broke the losing streak in the finals with the 2023 Asia Cup win where they thrashed Sri Lanka in the title round. This title gave the India squad a lot of confidence going into the World Cup, and it showed during the league stage where they were unbeaten throughout.
Read More: Asia Cup win has set India on track to conquer World Cup 2023
The right preparation ground
As the 2023 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka was played in the ODI format, it gave the India squad the perfect ground to prepare for the ODI World Cup that was to follow in India. It gave them clarity regarding the squad that they would play in the ODI World Cup. Besides, a few players such as Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul were returning from injury, and the Asia Cup gave them the platform to be match-ready ahead of the big event.
Captain and coach
The Rohit-Rahul (Rahul Dravid) combo took the Asia Cup and the following ODI series against Australia to lock in the players they wanted for each position. This helped give role clarity to each player in the ODI World Cup, and hence, India was able to execute their plans better. India also experimented few more players for some particular spots and eventually found the best man for each position. It helped captain Rohit to build a team to lead in the ODI World Cup and maintain the stability required in a big tournament.
Read More: Asia Cup 2023, Final, IND vs SL: Siraj’s 6-21 annihilates SL; India win 8th Asia Cup
Brand of cricket
India, led by opener Rohit, showed the brand of cricket they want to pursue in the ODI format from the Asia Cup itself. Rohit attacked and was fearless in the powerplay overs, setting a platform for middle-order batters to finish off things. When they bowled, India bowlers used attacking line and length coupled with brilliant fielding placements that made life tougher for the opposition. This approach made India bowlers the most lethal in the league stage of the ODI World Cup where they bowled out opponents 8 times out of eleven, and never for once conceded above 300 runs.
Although India lost the ODI World Cup final, the brand of ODI cricket they played during the league stage was entertaining and thrilling, and a lot of credit could go to their performances in the successful Asia Cup preceding it.
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