Twelve years have passed since that unforgettable April night in 2011, when a nation of billions erupted in jubilation as India clinched a historic ODI World Cup. This Thursday, India face Sri Lanka in another World Cup encounter, but it's a far cry from being labeled a repeat performance.
While the 2011 World Cup final was a battle of giants in every aspect, the upcoming match seems more like a contest between uneven rivals. India have consistently progressed in pursuit of their third title, boasting an impressive six-match unbeaten streak and demonstrating the ability to stage remarkable comebacks.
India's confidence is sky-high, but their self-belief and trust in their skills shine even brighter. This was evident when they faced adversity, like being reduced to 5/3 by Australia in Chennai or when England limited them to 229/9 in Lucknow. Their determination to dismantle the defending champions showcased their potential and signaled to their opponents that they must raise their performance significantly when facing Rohit Sharma's team in this World Cup.
Mohammed Shami, thrust into the lineup as a replacement for the absent Hardik Pandya, has emerged as a pleasant selection dilemma. He has taken nine wickets, including a five-wicket haul, in just two appearances. However, the team's leadership, led by captain Rohit and coach Rahul Dravid, understands the importance of preserving Shami for the tougher battles ahead.
India will still rely on a fresh and firing Jasprit Bumrah to navigate through the remaining challenges in the league stage.
There is no definitive news regarding Pandya's return, leaving some lingering concerns about how India's young talents will perform in this crucial game. Both Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer came into the World Cup with strong one-day records but have yet to make a significant impact on the tournament.
Gill, who missed the initial two games, has only managed to score one fifty since his return. He has been guilty of falling to what are referred to as 'soft dismissals,' and the young batsman is aware that the stage is set for him to make a significant contribution once again.
At 1,334 runs (24 matches, 5x100s, 6x50s, avg 63.52), Gill is still a considerable distance (560 runs) behind the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in terms of getting most ODI runs in a year.
Once again, Iyer's susceptibility to the short-pitched deliveries has become a weapon of choice for the opposition. He, too, is in dire need of a substantial innings, having managed only one half-century in six appearances.
Iyer's lone unbeaten 53 came during the chase against Pakistan when the game was all but decided, but there have been instances where the right-handed batsman missed opportunities to convert his starts into significant contributions that could have sealed victories.
As Iyer steps onto the Wankhede Stadium, playing a World Cup match on his home turf, there's an added motivation to put those past struggles behind him. This sentiment is likely shared by the local heroes, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Shardul Thakur.
Rohit, India's top run-scorer in this World Cup so far with 398 runs at an impressive average of 66.33, including one century and two fifties, is eager to create more memorable moments with the bat in front of his exuberant and passionate home crowd.
While Sri Lanka are by no means an easy opponent, they have had their fair share of stumbles in this World Cup following an exceptional showing in the qualification round. Injuries and the unavailability of key players have further hampered the island nation's prospects, but their young talents should relish the opportunity to face a high-quality opponent in its prime.
Sadeera Samarawickrama has been in excellent form, amassing 331 runs in six games, which includes a century and a fifty, making him Sri Lanka's leading run-scorer.
Pathum Nissanka has also done well for becoming only the second batter after Gill to score more than a thousand ODI runs this year. His four consecutive fifties in the World Cup makes him one to watch out for while his tally now stands at 1,108 runs in 26 matches at 48.17 with two centuries and nine fifties.
Despite the return of the seasoned Angelo Mathews, captain Kusal Mendis stands out as Sri Lanka's most accomplished batsman, displaying his skill and artistry with the bat. Mathews, on the other hand, has already delivered a match-winning performance since his comeback.
Sri Lanka's bowlers have managed to hold their own quite well, considering they've been without some of their more seasoned bowlers. However, given their limited resources, they will be aiming to put up a strong resistance against the formidable Indian batsmen, especially in the ideal batting conditions.
