Tom Moody reveals how 'uncertain' India sabotaged their hopes of winning 2019 World Cup

Virat Kohli-led Team India was one of the favourites to clinch the 2019 World Cup. The Men in Blue were eager to lift silverware ever since their heartbreaking loss against Pakistan in the final of 2017 Champions Trophy.

India also flagged off their 2019 World Cup on a high as they finished at the top of the points table in the round-robin stage of the showpiece event. Prior to the World Cup, India also had an impressive run as they clinched the ODI series in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Asia Cup 2018.

Coming on to their performance in the 2019 World Cup, India defeated South Africa, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, West Indies and Bangladesh to proceed to the knockouts. However, India, favourites to continue their impressive run and clinch the coveted trophy, bowed down against New Zealand in the semi-final of the mega-event. After suffering a batting collapse, India failed to hunt down even a modest 240-run target.

The top-order comprising KL Rahul, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma succumbed to New Zealand pace force in the initial overs. India were quickly reduced to 5 for 3, 24 for 4, 71 for 5 and 92 for 6 before an impressive 116-run stand between MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja and Dhoni tried to save the sinking ship but their efforts went into vain as India lost the encounter by a margin of 18 runs.

Reacting to India’s performance in the showpiece event, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) coach Tom Moody explained how the Men in Blue sabotaged their hopes of winning the World Cup trophy. According to Moody, shuffling and chopping batting order created ‘uncertainty’ among the squad.

You just need to remain consistent with players: Tom Moody

“When it seemed that India, twelve months out, were ready to play that tournament. But in the next twelve months in the actual lead up to the tournament, did their very best to sabotage their hopes of winning the tournament,” Moody told Harsha Bhogle in a recent conversation for Cricbuzz.

“By changing batting orders, by changing personnel within the batting order, creating uncertainty among the whole playing group. When you come into major tournaments that’s when you crystalise people’s thinking and thoughts and not be influenced by the white noise.

What the media might be talking about because you know exactly what path you are on. What exactly you need to be doing. You just need to remain consistent with that because players also sense the uncertainty when those things are happening,” he added.