Just four days after WC final, India take on Australia again

Distraught India have had no time to process the defeat while the Aussies will have to postpone celebrations at home

- Sanjjeev K Samyal

A billion-plus Indian fans are still coming to terms with the heartbreak of Sunday’s ODI World Cup final where the undefeated home team was trumped by Australia. Four days after that low in Ahmedabad, India will again go up against the same rivals, this time in a five-match T20 series.

Playing each other twice in the World Cup, including their opening game in the league stage, itself came after both the teams had faced each other several times over the last 14 months. Both sides and their fans are likely to battle mental fatigue as well, although the series in the most popular format may help overcome any spectator apathy in the opening game in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.

A breathing space of at least 10 days would have helped Indian fans who were emotionally invested in the spectacular World Cup run for 45 days only to be left dejected. That only two journalists attended the news conference of Suryakumar Yadav, leading the side, in Vizag on Wednesday suggested a distinct lack of interest.

While most of India’s World Cup squad will take a break, the Australia players are more affected by the packed scheduling. Almost half the players from the winning side, including Travis Head, the batting hero of the final and semi-final, are staying back.

A World Cup win deserves a grand public celebration back home, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to soak in the adulation. But Head admitted he will return to Australia only 12 days after the World Cup victory. Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa and Steve Smith are also among those who have stayed back for the T20 series.