Fifty matches across India and Sri Lanka are complete, and only one team has remained unbeaten through both the Super 8 and group stages of the T20 World Cup. With six wins from as many games, the Aiden Markram-led South Africa are the only side yet to taste defeat, and Sunday will finalise the semi-final line-up for the games in Kolkata and Mumbai. Two-time champions India and West Indies are vying for that one available slot, and everything will be on the line at the iconic Eden Gardens on Sunday.
It is a situation India, the pre-tournament runaway favourites, were not expected to be in, but the nature of the beast, the T20 format, is such that even the best are not spared. The unit led by Suryakumar Yadav is no exception. The virtual quarter-final will be the first high-pressure test for the combination of coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Surya. They were tested in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan last year, but the magnitude of a World Cup knockout clash brings a level of pressure that not many can handle.
War cries have already sounded from the opposite corner as West Indies coach Darren Sammy said his soldiers are ready for battle. He has happy memories of playing at this venue in the past and carried an air of confidence during the pre-match media interaction.
“Of course, every time we come to Eden Gardens, it brings back good memories. Do I tell you my XI? No, I will not. But I can tell you all my soldiers are ready for battle tomorrow when we call upon them.
We will have to wait till the toss for the XI,” said Sammy while keeping his Playing XI cards close to his chest.
It would have been fitting if Sammy’s soldiers remark had received an apt response from the Indian corner, but that will have to wait as head coach Gautam Gambhir has yet to interact with the media during this multi-nation tournament. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate was in the hot seat again, and he emphasised that experienced players must absorb pressure and perform for the side in situations like these.
“South Africa are the only undefeated team in the competition now. A tournament of this magnitude builds in stature and builds to this point where it is a quarter-final and you have to win to stay alive. The important thing is to focus on ourselves and what has got this group to this point, and how well they have done. Now there are only quality players left in the tournament, so it is about big players standing up, experienced players standing up, remaining calm and staying true to the way we have played leading up to this match,” said ten Doeschate.
The defending champions carry the burden of expectations from the home crowd, but the management is looking to go towards pressure rather than attempt to mask it. The group’s focus is to embrace the occasion of this must-win fixture rather than avoid it. The P word has been constant in the build-up to this game, but for Team India, P means Privilege, not Pressure.
“I do not think you ever want to mask pressure. You want to go towards pressure. That has been the message throughout, not just in the World Cup but also in the bilateral series. All our preparation towards this has been about going towards pressure when it comes. More than masking it, you want to reframe it. We are continually telling the guys what a privilege it is to play for your country and what a privilege it is to walk out at Eden Gardens in a match to stay in the tournament,” added ten Doeschate.
Apart from the happy memories from a decade ago, the West Indies have enjoyed plenty of success this year, winning both their games in Kolkata against Scotland and Italy. They too were unbeaten in the tournament before South Africa stopped the juggernaut in Ahmedabad. However, that game, which had India glued to the action, showed that the West Indies unit will continue to throw their strongest punches even when facing a count on the mat.
They looked down and out after a terrible start, but the rearguard action from Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd kept them alive till the halfway stage. South Africa did not break a sweat while chasing down the total, but even in defeat, the Shai Hope-led unit showcased its character and why it remains a force in the format. Sammy cited their 2016 campaign as an example and urged them to leave South Africa in Ahmedabad.
“Leave South Africa in Ahmedabad, just like in 2016. I remember Afghanistan beat us and we just said, bin it. There are still positives we could have taken from the game. Not often do you see a team at 83 for 7 go on to score 170. I think we sent a strong message about how deep our batting is. But yes, we left that game in Ahmedabad and our focus has been solely on what we have to do tomorrow against a strong Indian team, and that is where our focus is right now,” said Sammy.
The West Indies bat deep and bat big. They have firepower from the openers through the No. 9 position and are witnessing a fine year from Shimron Hetmyer’s willow. A threatening line-up in a format that comes naturally to them could give any opposition sleepless nights, but India seemed relaxed on the eve of the match. Coach ten Doeschate asserted that they are ready to fight fire with fire and are not bothered about whether the format comes naturally to the opposition.
“I do not think that bothers us at all. The challenge is that they are a very good T20 side. They possess power as good as any of the best teams in the world. What you know about the West Indies when they come to a T20 competition is that they give absolutely everything. This is their big moment in the calendar. It is a challenge we are relishing. We are going to fight fire with fire tomorrow, and I am expecting a really good game out there,” said ten Doeschate.
India had an optional session, but even the 12 who attended were buzzing with activity on the practice pitches near the ropes, while others prepared for range hitting on the square. Coach Gambhir chatted with different players as most went through their usual routine, applying the finishing touches. Big games differentiate the good from the great, and Sunday is an opportunity for 22 players from both sides to move toward a legacy they will long be remembered for.
As ten Doeschate said, it is a clean slate, but anything less than a W would be considered an anomaly for this Indian side.
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