Curtly Ambrose criticises Team India's game plan in WTC Final

The Men in Blue last won an ICC title in Champions Trophy 2013 under the leadership of MS Dhoni. India haven’t managed to win a single ICC title in the last eight years.

(Photo: AP/PTI)

In all these years, they fought hard to reach the knockouts in as many as 6 ICC tournaments but faltered in either semi-finals or the finals. They lost in the finals of the 2014 T20 World Cup, 2017 Champions Trophy and 2021 World Test Championship. Besides, they also went down in the semi-finals of the 2016 T20 World Cup, 2015 ODI World Cup and 2019 ODI World Cup.

Recently, Virat Kohli and Co. suffered an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the WTC 2019-21 Final.

Read More: India to begin World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle against England

Legendary West Indies cricketer, Curtly Ambrose, on the 'The Curtly & Karishma Show', shed light on India’s vulnerability in ICC knockouts over the years.

Ambrose reckoned that India making changes in the game plan before the final game has led to its downfall.

"In the last 6-7 ICC events, Team India has failed in the finals or lost in the semi-finals. I am just wondering (why). Because they have been so successful. But when you get to those big occasions, they tend to fail on a consistent basis," Ambrose said on 'The Curtly & Karishma Show' on YouTube.

"Is it a situation where they change their game plan or they put themselves under pressure because of the occasion? If that is the case, then it is wrong. As a former cricketer (I can say), the things that you do to make you successful, to get you to where you are, you continue to do them and try to improve."

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"You don’t change your game plan or style of play because it is semi-final or final. That is their loss. You've got to keep doing what you have been doing all along, that brought you success," he further added.

Ambrose believes that a team should not tweak its success formula just before the final as this is what helped them reach there.

He further went on to extend lavish praise on New Zealand fast bowlers for exhibiting top-notch performances in the summit clash.

"You have to give New Zealand credit. They have got some fantastic bowlers in their line-up. They have got Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner for company and Kyle Jamieson. These guys, when they get conditions that suit them, are more than a handful. And, they are led by a wonderful captain. I have got a lot of respect for Kane Williamson. He has led this team for years magnificently," Ambrose signed off.

The WTC 2021-23 cycle kicks off with the India-England Test series that is supposed to start in August 4.