Cricket is a game of small margins, where history can be changed by one mistake, one second of doubt, or one bad practice.

This has been a common theme for India in the last few ICC tournaments. Even though they are one of the best cricket teams in the world, they have lost critical games.

With fans eagerly checking Bet Pro login for the latest updates, India will again be the team to beat in the next global One-Day challenge. This time, though, they’re set on changing their story and finally getting the prize they’ve been after.

Ghosts of Mistakes Made in the Past

India has had a mixed recent record in ICC events, with wins and losses. Let’s go back to the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy. India’s best bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, stepped in a key spot, allowing Fakhar Zaman to score.

Zaman, who was on just three runs then, scored a match-winning century, leading Pakistan to victory. India lost the prize because of that one no-ball.

Now we’re in 2019 with the World Cup. Indian superstar MS Dhoni was run out in the semifinals against New Zealand with the speed of a blink of an eye. India was one of the best teams in the league, but that moment of doubt ended their chances.

Then the 2023 World Cup came around. India was almost unbeatable throughout the tournament, beating every team they played. They had high hopes, but one lousy hitting session in the final against Australia crushed those hopes. 

Despite being the best team in the world, they couldn’t cross the final challenge. This team’s close calls with success have made Indian fans wonder when the team will finally break the curse.

India’s Victory in One-Day Internationals

Even though there have been heartbreaks, India has an excellent record in ODI cricket. Since the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy, India has won 17 of the 20 ODIs held by the ICC, more than any other team during this time. This success says a lot about how consistent and good they are.

This time around, the event will be all about India again. With a team full of stars and something to prove, they are set on making up for their past mistakes.

The Team: A Mix of Young and Old

India’s team for the event has the right amount of young and old players. Many big stars in cricket are on this team, which Rohit Sharma leads. Take a look at the team:

• Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul
• Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant
• Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar are all-rounders.
• Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, and Varun Chakaravarthy are bowlers.

It’s worth mentioning that the world’s best bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, is not there because he is hurt. However, India’s bowling attack still looks dangerous, with five spinners in the squad. Many spinners may be a question mark for some, but Rohit Sharma always makes the right choice in significant events.

Plan for the group stage.

As planned, all India’s group-stage games will be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS). This is their schedule:

• February 20: vs. Bangladesh
• vs. Pakistan on February 23
• March 2: vs. New Zealand

Playing all their matches at the same site could be an advantage, allowing the team to adapt to the conditions quickly. In recent years, though, DICS hasn’t been a good place for Indian teams to hunt. In the T20 World Cup 2021, neither the men’s nor the women’s teams made it to the quarterfinals. The same thing happened to both teams last year.

Still, there are some good memories as well. In 2018, India won the Asia Cup at the same site. Rohit Sharma led the team to win. Can history repeat itself in 2024?

The Point: March 9 instead of March 23

It will be exciting for everyone to see India play Pakistan on March 23, but Rohit Sharma will be thinking about March 9, the day of the final. Their goal is not just to beat their biggest enemy but also to win the whole thing. The team is motivated to forget their recent losses and win a championship.

Form Guide

The last few ODIs India has played have been very good. After a disappointing loss in Sri Lanka, they scored all six runs in their home game against England. But they haven’t played many ODIs since the 2023 World Cup, so it’s hard to tell how they’re doing now.

India’s best players have always done well in ODIs. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill are all in great shape, so the team looks ready for what lies ahead.

The Way Ahead

It will not be easy for India to get through the event. They will play tough teams like Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh in the group game. However, India is the only team with the skills and drive to deal with these problems.

The most important thing is to avoid slip-ups that have cost them in the past. India can’t afford to mess up when it matters, whether it’s a no-ball, a run-out, or a lousy hitting session.

To read more blog: Buckingham and Hardie Helped Australia Win by an Innings

Final Thoughts

India’s journey to recovery starts now. They have the team, the knowledge, and the drive to break the curse and finally win an ODI tournament worldwide. There have been many heartaches in the past, but I hope for glory in the future.