NEW DELHI: Cricket fans across India were praying, fasting and holding fire rituals for their team to end a global title drought in the T20 World Cup final Saturday.
Rohit Sharma’s India face South Africa in a blockbuster climax in Barbados with both teams unbeaten in the ninth edition of the tournament.
India last tasted success in a world-level tournament in the 2013 Champions Trophy and have since faltered in the knockout stages of ICC events, despite being ranked number one in both T20s and one-day internationals, and number two in Tests.
Rohit and team came agonizingly close to winning the ODI World Cup at home last year, but lost to Australia in the final at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.
News channels repeatedly showed images Saturday of fans holding Hindu fire rituals to urge the gods to take the team to victory over South Africa, who will be playing their first-ever World Cup men’s final.
Some featured pictures bedecked with flower garlands of captain Rohit, who has hit three half-centuries in the tournament, holding the World Cup trophy.
India knocked out defending champions England in the semifinal in Guyana and a triumph would be a fitting finale for outgoing coach Rahul Dravid.
“With a quiet prayer on my lips, I hope the team wins it for Rahul Dravid,” Saad Majeed, an ardent fan wearing an Indian jersey, said.
“Rohit is in top form and I am sure a final flourish from him would drive the team home to a memorable win, which will help us forget the previous heartaches.”
Sumit Dagar, another fan, said in Delhi: “I will be fasting since morning and will eat only when India will win against South Africa today. There is no chance they will lose.”
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly told reporters on Friday: “I am very happy for Rohit Sharma.
“Life comes a full circle. Six months ago he was not even the captain of Mumbai Indians and the same man is now leading India to a World Cup final, unbeaten,” he said, referencing an Indian Premier League team.
Star batsman Virat Kohli partnered Rohit at the top of the order but has failed to fire, scoring just 75 runs in seven matches.
But Ganguly, a former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, backed the struggling star to come good in the final.
“He is a once in a lifetime player,” said Ganguly. “He is human, he will have three or four bad games, but I have got my fingers crossed for him in the final.”
The tournament could be the last World Cup for both openers, with Kohli aged 35, Rohit two years older, and the next edition of T20’s showpiece only in 2026.
Rohit was part of India’s T20 World Cup triumph in the inaugural edition in 2007, while Kohli won the ODI prize under M.S. Dhoni in 2011.
That was India’s last World Cup triumph, when Dhoni lifted the trophy at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium and the country erupted in joy.
Two years later, Dhoni’s team beat hosts England in the 50-over Champions Trophy final but fans have now been waiting for 13 years for another major title.
India lost in the semifinals of the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup, before last year’s ODI final defeat again left fans heartbroken.
Cricket fans pray for India’s elusive T20 World Cup trophy
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Cricket fans pray for India’s elusive T20 World Cup trophy
- India last tasted success in a world-level tournament in the 2013 Champions Trophy and have since faltered in the knockout stages of ICC events
- Rohit Rohit and team came agonizingly close to winning the ODI World Cup at home last year, but lost to Australia in the final
Salah and Mbeumo lead the list of Premier League players heading to the AFCON
- Manchester United has lost its most potent attacking force in Bryan Mbeumo, along with two more key figures
MANCHESTER: Mohamed Salah has gone for up to a month, costing Liverpool its all-time leading goal-scorer in the Premier League.
Manchester United has lost its most potent attacking force in Bryan Mbeumo, along with two more key figures.
They’re nothing compared to Sunderland, a promoted team punching above its weight in England’s top flight. It has been decimated by the loss of six players.
The Africa Cup of Nations is taking a toll on the Premier League, with some of its biggest stars heading off to the tournament situated right in the middle of the season.
It is unfortunate that AFCON can be cast as a nuisance for many clubs in Europe — though international soccer in general can be viewed like that when pitted against club ambitions of winning titles. But at least the World Cup, European Championship or Copa America are staged during the offseason of Europe’s top leagues.
AFCON is traditionally held in January-February but has been brought forward this year — from Sunday to Jan. 18 — meaning less disruption for leagues in Spain, Germany and France, which have winter breaks of varying periods in December-January.
The Premier League, however, plays through the Christmas and New Year holidays, with the added strain of the FA Cup thrown into one of the busiest periods of the campaign.
The likes of Liverpool and United should have deep enough squads to cope with the loss of key players such as Salah and Mbeumo. But it could have a major impact on Sunderland, which is just two points off the top four after an outstanding start to the season.
Arthur Masuaku, Noah Sadiki, Bertrand Traore, Habib Diarra, Chemsdine Talbi and Reinildo Mandava are all taking part in the Africa Cup in Morocco.
Sunderland is an outlier with so many going to the tournament but for Crystal Palace the loss of just one player — Ismaila Sarr — is potentially significant, given his importance to the team. Likewise, Brighton is losing key midfielder Carlos Baleba.
Burnley, second to bottom in the standings, is losing three players and so is Fulham.
Notably, at the top of the table, Arsenal has no players in the AFCON, likewise title-challenging Aston Villa and Chelsea, which could be telling over the next month.
Premier League players going to AFCON
Brentford: Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso), Frank Onyeka (Nigeria)
Brighton: Carlos Baleba (Cameroon)
Burnley: Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo), Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia), Lyle Foster (South Africa)
Crystal Palace: Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)
Everton: Idrissa Gana Gueye (Senegal), Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal)
Fulham: Calvin Bassey (Nigeria), Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria), Alex Iwobi (Nigeria)
Liverpool: Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Manchester City: Rayan Ait-Nouri (Algeria), Omar Marmoush (Egypt)
Manchester United: Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco)
Nottingham Forest: Willy Boly (Ivory Coast), Ibrahim Sangare (Ivory Coast)
Sunderland: Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo), Noah Sadiki (DR Congo), Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), Habib Diarra (Senegal), Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco), Reinildo Mandava (Mozambique)
Tottenham Hotspur: Yves Bissouma (Mali), Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal)
West Ham United: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR Congo), El Hadji Malik Diouf (Senegal)
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Emmanuel Agbadou (Ivory Coast), Tawanda Chirewa (Zimbabwe)
Key matchups
On Saturday, first-place Arsenal travels to Everton, while City in second is at home against West Ham. Liverpool will look to win back-to-back league games for the first time since September when the defending champion heads to Tottenham.
Aston Villa and United meet on Sunday.
Players to watch
Hugo Ekitike has scored four goals in his last two league games. With Salah off to the AFCON, Liverpool’s other forward can establish themselves without the noise that has surrounded the Anfield icon in recent weeks when his future has been placed in doubt.
Out of action
United States international Tyler Adams suffered suspected left knee MCL damage in Bournemouth’s 4-4 draw with United on Monday. Chelsea forward Estevao has a small muscle issue, coach Enzo Maresca said. Everton was monitoring a potential hamstring complaint for Jack Grealish.
Off the field
Expect more protests at last-place Wolves.
Bottom of the standings and looking certain to be relegated, Wolves will equal Sheffield United’s 2020-21 record of 17 games without a win from the start of a Premier League season if they fail to beat Brentford at home on Saturday.
There were protests at Wolves’ last home match against Manchester United this month and, despite a spirited performance at Arsenal last week, Rob Edwards’ team is 14 points adrift of safety.
