DESTINY BECKONS

12 years since the last World Cup victory, Rohit Co will have one last go against Australia to get their hands on trophy

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN

THE World Cup. Holy grail. Poisoned chalice.

In an Indian context, it has made and destroyed teams and individuals. It has wrecked relationships. Adults have bawled on live TV.

On a typical London summer day, a band of brothers surprised themselves. At Johannesburg, they weren’t even allowed to dream. In dying light in Port of Spain, superstars were shell-shocked. On a floodlit night in Mumbai, some of them made memories to last a lifetime.

The highest of highs. The lowest of lows.

Over the last eight years, ICC events have only caused heartburn. Australia prevailed in a one-sided semifinal in 2015. Pakistan cantered past in 2017. New Zealand have been a scourge over the last few years in all three formats.

Now, 15 men stand on the edge of the precipice. Between them and glory, immortality even, are familiar foes, Australia. While they were tipped to at least reach the final, few would have predicted their path.