Why is Team India Struggling to Clinch ICC Trophies?

The International Cricket Council (ICC) trophies are prestigious accolades that contribute significantly to the heritage of cricket. Capturing an ICC trophy imprints a team’s legacy on the sport’s history, with multiple winners often recalled as the titans of the game. 

A prominent example is the Australian cricket team, triumphant in securing five ICC World Cups and a total of nine ICC trophies, including the recent World Test Championship (WTC) Trophy.

Their fierce competitor, Team India, boasting a robust roster of world-class players, has been experiencing a decade-long dry spell, failing to secure a single ICC trophy. 

The underperformance is particularly conspicuous under the leadership of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. The recent WTC loss to Australia has ignited heated discussions probing the reasons behind Team India’s prolonged trophy drought.

Frequent Shuffling of the Playing XI

One of the key issues can be attributed to the constant changes in the team’s composition. With Team India engaging in numerous international matches against diverse teams, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the selection committee have been incessantly altering the playing XI. The aim behind these adjustments was to explore various player combinations, strategies, and experiment with fresh talent.

However, rather than bolstering the team’s depth, this strategy has undermined team harmony. The persistent modifications induce uncertainty among players regarding their position and future within the team, potentially impacting their performance under pressure.

Inconsistent Performance of Seasoned Players

Team India’s dependency on its experienced players has often led to a slump in overall team performance when these seasoned players lose their form. Presently, stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are experiencing a performance downturn across all formats of the game.

Rohit Sharma, already battling form issues before assuming captaincy, has been unable to strike a consistent performance rhythm. Similarly, Virat Kohli’s two-year-long below-par performance was briefly disrupted by a comeback, but consistent brilliance remains elusive. As leading figures, these players must demonstrate their prowess under pressured situations and serve as role models for the younger talents.

Impact of the Indian Premier League and Packed Calendar

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has indisputably revitalized Indian cricket, offering a broad talent pool. However, the extensive, high-intensity tournament also brings challenges. Spanning several weeks and numerous matches, the IPL can result in player fatigue, particularly for those involved in both IPL and international cricket.

Workload management becomes essential to avoid injuries and burnout, given the detrimental impact excessive cricket can have on their performance in international matches. The strenuous IPL can occasionally result in form or performance dips for players. Furthermore, the allure of franchise cricket and the associated financial rewards might cause a shift in player priorities, potentially affecting their commitment and performance at the international level.