The 1996 World Cup encounter between India and the West Indies in Gwalior remains a vivid memory- a match defined by fluctuating fortunes and fatal errors. On a typically slow and slightly sluggish deck, West Indian captain Richie Richardson chose to bat first, a decision grounded in the expectation of a solid total. But despite early promise, the West Indies collapsed twice, losing three wickets for eight runs in two bursts of madness, gifting India an easy chase.
Fast forward 27 years to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in Chennai, and Australia would be forgiven for having flashbacks. Like the West Indies in Gwalior, the Australian team arrived with intent but was left frustrated, undone by their own tactical misjudgments and failure to read the conditions. The parallels are uncanny: both teams started well but suffered collapses that led to their undoing on a surface that demanded patience, precision, and adaptation.
Chennai’s Challenge
Chennai, much like Gwalior in 1996, presented a slow, low track, favouring the bowlers as the game wore on. Australian captain Pat Cummins made a sound decision in opting to bat first, recognizing the advantage of putting runs on the board and allowing their bowlers to exploit a deteriorating pitch. To justify the decision, Australia needed to post a total in the region of 250-270, something well within their capabilities.
However, their approach belied their experience. Having toured India earlier in the year and played a three-match ODI series just before the World Cup, Australia should have been well-versed in how to navigate such conditions. Yet, their early struggles mirrored the West Indies of old.
Mitchell Marsh departed for a duck, but Australia soon rebuilt, with Steve Smith and David Warner looking comfortable at 74 for 1. At this point, the game was evenly poised. All Australia needed was to show patience, invest in backfoot play, and execute their strokes with astute footwork. The goal was clear: play the ball late, respect the conditions, and target a competitive total.
Jadeja’s Spell and Australia’s Collapse
But just as the West Indies had done in Gwalior, Australia faltered. Enter Ravindra Jadeja, who single-handedly shifted the momentum in India’s favour. In a devastating spell, he removed Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Alex Carey in the space of 2.3 overs. Australia’s platform was eroded, and they collapsed from 110 for 2 to 119 for 5, a collapse remarkably similar to the West Indian implosions in 1996.
Jadeja’s bowling was neither overly aggressive nor did it rely on extravagant spin. In fact, he kept his pace around 96-97 km/h, delivering skidders that exploited the Australians’ growing hesitation. Steve Smith, usually the embodiment of calm under pressure, was uncharacteristically jittery. Scared of being trapped leg before, he made a fatal mistake—consistently positioning his pads outside the line of the delivery. Jadeja sensed the apprehension and exploited it. A slower ball from Jadeja turned sharply, beating Smith’s tentative defence and dislodging the bails.
Labuschagne, who had looked relatively assured, made an uncharacteristic choice. Attempting a sweep shot against Jadeja, a stroke that is not his forte, he edged behind KL Rahul. Carey, with limited confidence against spin, failed to adjust his footwork and was undone by another skidding delivery. What should have been played off the front foot was instead negotiated from the back foot, and Carey paid the price.
In a matter of overs, Australia’s innings unravelled. Jadeja, though not turning the ball prodigiously, fed on their mounting pressure and indecision, much like India had done against the West Indies in 1996.
Australia’s Flawed Approach
Australia’s final total of 199 for 9 reflected more than just a poor day at the office—it was indicative of tactical missteps and a failure to adapt to conditions. For the first time since 1983, no Australian batsman reached fifty in a World Cup match. They had gone into the innings with the right idea, but poor execution and an inability to handle pressure derailed their plans.
India’s start to the chase was as precarious as their batting had been in 1996. Three Indian batsmen fell for ducks, and the crowd at Chennai held its breath. Sachin Tendulkar had escaped a crucial dismissal back in 1996 when Courtney Browne dropped a sitter, and this time it was Virat Kohli, who, batting on 12, saw Mitchell Marsh drop an easy chance. This drop proved just as costly.
Kohli and KL Rahul rebuilt steadily, but Cummins made a tactical error that allowed India to breathe. Instead of bringing back his two most effective bowler - Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa—when India was vulnerable, Cummins persisted with the spin of Glenn Maxwell. Hazlewood, with an impressive record against Kohli, and Zampa, with a history of troubling Rahul, could have provided breakthroughs, but they were introduced too late.
By the time Hazlewood dismissed Kohli, India had already solidified their position, and the damage was done. Australia’s hopes faded as quickly as they had risen, and their frustration, both on the field and in the dressing room, was palpable.
A Lesson Unlearned
Much like the West Indies in Gwalior, Australia found themselves trapped in a cycle of tactical indecision and missed opportunities. For a team as experienced as Australia, the failure to adapt to conditions was surprising, and their inability to capitalize on key moments only exacerbated the frustration.
Australia’s tactical errors and the brilliance of Ravindra Jadeja handed India a win that mirrored their 1996 triumph. The Gwalior ghosts had returned to haunt, and Australia, despite all their preparation, had fallen into the same trap, frustrating both themselves and their loyal followers.
In cricket, as in life, history often repeats itself.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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