This will be second time Indian team will play WTC final and after that the team will also set their sights on the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup later this year, hoping to replicate their success from the historic 2011 triumph.
However, the 2007 World Cup remains etched in the memory of former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag as a disastrous campaign that left the team shattered.
The 2007 World Cup held in the West Indies was a challenging chapter for Indian cricket. Despite boasting a star-studded lineup led by captain Rahul Dravid, the team failed to deliver when it mattered most.
With stalwarts like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, and Anil Kumble in their ranks, the Indian team was considered the best in the world at the time. However, things couldn’t click together when the big stage demanded them to deliver.
Recalling the heartbreaking experience, Virender Sehwag expressed his disappointment with the team’s early exit from the tournament. “The defeat in 2007 hurt more. We were the best team in the world. We lost in the final in 2003 and won the World Cup in 2011, but we didn’t have such big names then,” Sehwag revealed during an interview with Gaurav Kapur on Breakfast with Champions.
The Indian team entered the 2007 World Cup with high expectations and confidence in their abilities. However, their campaign took an unexpected turn as they suffered defeats to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka during the group stage.
The losses resulted in their untimely elimination, leaving the players shocked and disheartened. Sehwag vividly described the aftermath of their elimination, highlighting the despair and frustration that engulfed the team. “We were confident of reaching the next stage in 2007.
We had a two-day break after the league stage. So when we were eliminated, we had no tickets to return and had to stay in Trinidad and Tobago. I didn’t call for housekeeping or step out of my room,” Sehwag revealed.
The 2007 World Cup disappointment remains a significant blot on the otherwise illustrious careers of the Indian cricketers involved. Despite their immense talent and reputation, the team failed to perform when it mattered most, leading to introspection and a search for answers.
Since that fateful campaign, Indian cricket has witnessed significant transformations and successes. The team reached the semi final of the 2019 World Cup, narrowly missing out on the final, and they now stand on the cusp of another historic moment in the World Test Championship final.
As Team India prepares to face Australia in the much-anticipated Test final, the memories of past failures serve as a reminder of the importance of performing under pressure. The current squad, led by Rohit Sharma, will aim to draw upon their collective experience and strive for redemption on the global stage.
While the scars of the 2007 World Cup campaign remain, Virender Sehwag’s reflections highlight the resilience and determination of Indian cricket. The team’s subsequent triumph in 2011 proved that setbacks can lead to ultimate success.
As they embark on their journey towards the upcoming World Cup, the Men in Blue will seek to rectify past mistakes and etch their names in cricketing history once again.