The concept of “intent” in cricket has never been clearer and more evident than it is now. In the Cricket World Cup, teams that play with intent are performing exceptionally, while those with a casual approach are causing harm to their own side. Let’s analyze the difference between the India vs. Pakistan encounter.
When Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were at the crease, they were merely occupying it without putting pressure on the bowlers. In the modern game, established batsmen during the middle overs should aim for a run rate of at least 6 runs per over. However, Babar and Rizwan were only managing four to five runs an over, which meant that once one of them got out, the game became open for the Indian bowlers.
We witnessed a similar situation with Australia in Cricket World Cup, who struggled to bring intensity and momentum to their game in the first two matches. A laid-back attitude is a common misconception, as some teams believe they can seize opportunities later in the innings.
In reality, the game has evolved, and regrets come before the opportunities if you’re not at your best. A team can have strong statistics, but in an ideal match, they are only as good as their intent allows them to steer the game away from the opposition.
England’s loss to Afghanistan at Cricket World Cup was due to a similar reason. Afghanistan’s “just another match” perception prevented England from realizing that the game can change rapidly. The attitude of “we can’t be defeated by smaller teams” is unacceptable.
Every team plays to win, and any team can pose a challenge to another if they are passive and timid. All it takes is a small opportunity to make a difference and show passionate intent. Even the best teams feel the pressure when subjected to constant pressure.
England had all the resources against Afghanistan but lacked intent. The overconfidence of “we will easily win” was evident in the body language of English players, and they ended up making things difficult for themselves.
By the time they realized their mistakes, it was too late. Harry Brook demonstrated intent and performed remarkably, but other batsmen didn’t do as well because they misread the game situation and adopted a defensive approach against experienced Afghan spinners.
The result is clear: your mindset going into a game determines the outcome. It’s crucial to make a positive impact as soon as possible in your innings. Being defensive for the first 10-13 overs is not a viable strategy in the Cricket World Cup.
South Africa and India serve as perfect examples of setting the right tone for their innings with confidence and intent. Whether you’re bowling or batting, the six balls you face or deliver can have a match-winning impact, and here’s an example of how it can be detrimental for a team to underestimate these deliveries. Chris Woakes and Sam Curran managed only 19 runs off 49 balls together, and with the ball, they conceded 87 runs off 8 overs.
Such a performance lacking intent is disappointing and improper at any stage of the game, regardless of the opposition. It’s not acceptable to assume that it won’t hurt the team’s prospects because they’re playing against Afghanistan, as this view is outdated.
Intent stems from willingness, and losses are acceptable as long as the team remains competitive. England lost two matches at Cricket World Cup, both in a one-sided manner. Some players displayed a casual approach, which is something a team should strive to avoid. The situation with Australia was no different in this regard; their “we will do it later” attitude has left them in a tough spot.
