Fans blamed for Team India's ICC title drought by Ian Smith in the middle of T20 World Cup

The Indian cricket team is gearing up for the crucial Super-8 match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 against Bangladesh at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Saturday, June 22.

India is unbeaten in the tournament and will look to secure a semifinal berth by crushing Bangladesh. Ahead of India’s crucial Super-8 match against Bangladesh, former New Zealand cricketer Ian Smith has delivered a scathing assessment of the Indian cricket team's prolonged drought for the ICC trophy.

Ian Smith blames intense pressure for India's ICC Trophy drought

Smith blamed a deep-rooted fear of failure as a key factor in their unsuccessful campaigns. Despite having immense talent and skill, Team India has not won an ICC trophy since 2013, leaving both fans and experts bewildered. Well, Smith expressed his empathy for the Men in Blue, acknowledging the intense pressure they face from 150 crore Indians.

The former New Zealander further pointed out that fear of failure is a significant factor in sports, especially cricket, and the Indian team carries a unique burden, playing under the weight of unmatched expectations, and it has not been helping them at the ICC events.

According to Smith, no other cricket team in the world deals with as much pressure as the Indian cricket team. Furthermore, the commentator highlighted the immense desire of Indian fans to see their team win every game.

He mentioned that this constant expectation creates a challenging environment for the players, where every day brings a new demand for victory. Since winning the ICC Champions Trophy in 2024, India has faced repeated disappointments.

Smith believes that this relentless pressure is a tough thing to bear, and it eventually impacts the team's performance in crucial matches, and that’s what's happened to India in the ICC events over the years. 

Fear of failure is a massive thing in sport: Ian Smith

As India continues its quest for the ICC title, they will certainly look to cross the final hurdle in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, as they are already one of the favorites to clinch the trophy with every match witnessing different match winners for them.

Ian Smith was quoted as saying by PTI: “Fear of failure is a massive thing in sport. Pressure is a big thing. Being able to handle the big occasion. I mean, I don't think any team in the world, or cricket in particular, plays with as much pressure on their shoulders as the Indian cricket team. The expectation... desire from the population for the team to win almost every game. Every day you get out of bed you have to win. It's a tough thing to have to bear.”

Notably, India has confirmed that there are no plans to change the opening combination of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the Super-8 clash against Bangladesh. Despite Shivam Dube's performance being under scrutiny, the all-rounder is likely to be retained for the crucial match, especially considering Bangladesh's strong spin attack. However, Sanju Samson can make it to the XI.