013 - We're back...

Why is consistency the hardest thing in life?

When we hear legends across all walks of life talk about success, why do they emphasise consistency? And why is it so mind-numbingly difficult to be consistent over the long term?

I had struggled to be consistent with this website despite having had an immense passion for this project when I started. Did the passion reduce, or was I struggling to maintain consistency?

Like always, I try relating everything to cricket.

Would you rather be a consistent player scoring 30 - 40 runs every game? Or an inconsistent player that delivers in the big matches? Scoring 10-20 for 5 games and then going out there and scoring a 100 when it matters the most.

The above example leads me to India's outing during the WTC Final. We've won every battle there was to win, but we couldn't win the war.

Our consistency throughout the 2 years, our heroics in Australia, the series finale at Gabba, our comeback from 36 all out, the comeback at home against England.

All of that for an anti-climatic end to the first edition of the WTC.

Luckily, New Zealand (the most liked team in World Cricket) snatched the Maze from us. Had we lost a final to Australia/England, this would have been a bigger rant.

The truth is, in two years, there has only been one team that outplayed us, New Zealand. They deserved to win the title. We've played them thrice and lost all three times. I feel they got lucky reaching the finals, with the format changing from points to %, either way. They delivered when it mattered, so massive credit and congratulations to them. After the heartbreak in 2019, it is only fair the cricketing gods paid them their dues.

As we start our quest for the WTC today, I hope we learn from the last 7 years of disappointment. 2021 - WTC Final

2019 - WC Semi-Final

2017 - CT Final

2016 - T20 WC Semi-Final

2015 - WC Semi-Final

2014 - T20 WC Final

This is why I ask, would India rather be a team to lose battles and win the war? Or keep winning battles and choke when it comes to the crunch time.

Some may say I'm harsh, but it's hard to argue with 6 failed opportunities across the best part of this decade.

As session 2 commences with an evenly balanced contest between India and England, let's hope we start on a positive and end this trophy drought, win a series in England and carry on to bring the T20 World Cup home.

Come on, lads!

Speaking of consistency, how insanely consistent is Virat Kohli with tosses?