Success, Failure, and the Fine Line Between

On the 19th of November at 9 am, en route to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, optimism surrounded my thoughts: "The cup is ours; we are winning for sure." India, seemingly the most dominant team in the World Cup, boasted a balanced and peaking squad. However, the reality unfolded differently. The loss served as a poignant reminder that true success lies in final victory, regardless of the journey.

The following writeup serves as both an analogy for the requisites of success in life and an examination of the strengths and areas for improvement in the performance of the Indian cricket team or any corporate setup in general.

Positives that were on point included

1. The team's batting lineup, features a star-studded opening and middle-order. The unit was considered one of the most formidable in contemporary One Day Internationals, with each player demonstrating well-rounded abilities to attack and defend. The presence of reliable backups for each role added a layer of depth to the batting department. However, the narrative of a nearly flawless batting lineup did falter at times during crucial junctures.

2. The bowling lineup, encompassing both pace and spin, appeared lethal, especially with the late but favorable addition of Shami, rendering it one of the most varied bowling units for any playing condition. Fielding, a facet that has seen continuous improvement since the Dhoni era and peaked under Kohli's leadership, was commendable. Athletic fielders like Jaddu, Iyer, and Kohli, along with safe hands in Sharma and Gill, contributed to a decent, if not the best, fielding unit.

3. The captaincy, team composition, and overall management displayed a commendable level of consistency. Roles were clearly defined for each player, and the team exuded a sense of security and ease throughout the tournament. The leadership, in contrast to the previous World Cup, appeared relaxed, fostering a positive team culture.

4. Hosting the World Cup equated to winning the world, a notion proven true in the last three tournaments and deemed the Indian cricket team's most substantial advantage.

Summary of the situation:

Qualified and Capable team - Check

Strong and Able Leader - Check

Clear short-term and long-term Goals - Check

Team Culture - Check

Known Work Environment - Check

Well, if everything was a tick. What went wrong?

An unfavorable toss for the hosts was an evident setback, limiting their ability to dictate play. Here are my take on the other possible misses:

1. Change in Pitch Conditions: The pitch proved slower, resembling a 'sticky wicket' uncommon in most Indian cricket grounds. Batsmen struggled to adapt, resulting in difficulties in scoring runs.
2. Lack of Strategic Plans: Both in batting and bowling, the team succumbed to pressure, with players appearing somewhat clueless. The scarcity of boundaries during middle overs, a deficiency in significant partnerships, and the failure to capture wickets at crucial moments indicated a lack of effective plans. In contrast, the Australian team demonstrated a well-thought-out strategy and even had backup plans for each Indian batsman.
3. Deficiency in Bowling Determination: Despite witnessing the match from the stadium, it was evident that, apart from Bumrah, the bowlers lacked the determined spirit needed for a comeback. The visible body language suggested a lack of zeal to see it through to the end.

While the team's shortcomings were evident, the fine line between success and failure was highlighted. The match could have been praised for strategic decisions if India defended the total.

The question remains: Did India do anything fundamentally wrong in the finals, or was it merely a bad day at the wrong time? The analysis points toward a mix of both, acknowledging the team's strengths while identifying areas for improvement, and offering insights into the unpredictable nature of cricket or any situation we face in our professional or personal lives.

This brings us to the important question: Is the process important or the outcome?