Can they do it? Yes. Will they do it? Depends on the pitches.
You have to look at the bigger picture. This isn’t a one off result, it is the beginning of the end for India’s dominance.
Indian cricket is going down. The reality check in Hyderabad, the humiliation in Sri Lanka and now this. It is the sign of a team that is faltering.
Players like Kohli, Rohit and very soon Ashwin, Jadeja and Shami as well are going to leave and the fresh blood don’t have what it takes. Jaiswal is the only standout cricketer.
I saw the young generation play yesterday and they didn’t look like a bunch of players who can dominate at the top level.
Indian cricket saw their version of golden era in the last decade and you have to ask yourselves what they achieved.
0 ODI trophies, 0 Test series wins in England, South Africa and New Zealand and 0 WTC wins. Only one trophy won that too because the opposition choked.
This was India’s opportunity to have the kind of success WI and Australia achieved but they missed their chance. They couldn’t do it in spite of having a superpower board who controlled, influenced and manipulated each and every aspect of cricket while the other boards were dancing to their tunes.
WI dominated cricket when England was ruling the roost as far as cricket administration is concerned.
Australia dominated when no cricket board was particularly dominant and it was a level-playing field.
India have failed to dominate in an era where their board is the sole superpower in the game.
What stopped India from winning at least two ODI World Cups, at least one WTC and series win in England, New Zealand or South Africa? Nothing except their lack of talent and mental resolve.
The Australia team of the last 10 years or so rarely get typed up as an ATG team, and yet, they have won two World Cups and a WTC.
Even England took advantage of their white ball peak and picked up two World Cups in the space of 3 years.
India have badly failed to take advantage of their golden period. It is story of massive underachievement. Such opportunities don’t come knocking all the time.
Indian fans have every reason to be heartbroken.