'Matter of time before India win their next ICC title' - Steve Waugh

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh has reached India for the upcoming three-ODI series between the home team and Australia beginning next week. The 54-year-old was one of Australia’s best batsmen as well as a captain who won the 50-over World Cup in 1999. The veteran is also an admirer of India’s cricketing credentials and believes it is just a matter of time before the Men in Blue win their next ICC tournament.

India last won an ICC tournament in 2013 when they bagged the Champions Trophy in England under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. They had great starts in ICC tournaments like the World T20 in 2016, ICC Champions Trophy in 2017 and the two 50-over World Cups in 2015 and 2019 but fell either in the semi-finals or finals.

Waugh conceded that it is not easy to win such high-profile tournaments because of the high level of competition but also added that there is no mental block which has stopped India inches closer from bagging the crowns. In their last ICC tournament campaign, India finished the league table as the top team, winning seven of their nine games and losing just once but then lost to New Zealand by just 18 runs in the semi-final to leave their fans heartbroken.

“It is not easy to win big tournaments. And you take it for granted when you are doing it. I think it just shows how special it is but India are very capable,” Steve Waugh was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Steve Waugh asks Indian fans to be patient

“They will be up there, top contenders in any competition. India fans you need to stay patient. Only a matter of time before they win something big again.

“Is it a mental block that India keep losing in the knock-outs? It is not mental. It is just sport. Like I said it is not easy to win big tournaments. Australia had a great run in World Cups. We didn’t do this time but we have had an incredible run,” Waugh, who was a 22-year-old member of the squad that had won Australia their first World Cup in 1987, said.

Before Waugh, former West Indian great Brian Lara had also said that Kohli’s men are capable of winning any tournament that they play. He also picked India as the favourites to win the T20 World Cup scheduled in Australia later this year.

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