India's World Cup win - the SECRET INGREDIENT

"I have won many trophies in my time, but nothing will ever top helping win the battle for peace in my country."-Ivory coast footballer Didier Drogba

- SURESH SUBRAHMANYAN

At the outset, I must emphasize that I was not really planning to write about cricket as I had already done so just a few weeks ago, and most of us are probably fed to the back teeth on the subject. However, needs must. I wish to touch upon an aspect of the game that might have escaped the attention of most cricket aficionados.

Let me tell you the secret behind the factor that contributed to India's winning the T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad a few weeks back. All right, you go first. Sanju Samson? Good try but no. Just a few games ago, our selectors didn't want to hear about Samson. The word fickle springs to mind. Jasprit Bumrah? That's an even better try, a no-brainer but again, incorrect. Ishan Kishan's belligerence or Shivam Dube's explosive cameos? Axar Patel's electric fielding? Look pal, I have already said no to prime contenders Sanju and Jasprit, let's get serious. Next thing, you will be telling me it is coach Gautam Gambhir's implacable strategy and vision that was key. All else failing, you will stress on the benign, batting paradise of a pitch which our batsmen ravenously feasted on, having been generously invited to take first strike.