To ask 'what went wrong' with Indian team is an illogical question because Twenty-20 competition is 80 per cent 'luck' and 20 per cent 'effort and skill'. There is hardly any chance of staging a comeback, if the initiative has been lost or surrendered. Winning by a puny margin does not establish that the team is superior. Similarly, losing by three runs or one wicket does not make the team out of form , suspect against rising deliveries and vulnerable in temperament.

If Australia (the 'C' group was the toughest of four groups. It included West Indies and Sri Lanka) can be eliminated in the preliminary round of the second edition of the World Cup (June 5-21) and England could lose to Netherlands at Lord's on the opening day, why could not defending champions India lose to West Indies , England and also South Africa to get eliminated from the Super-Eight? Dhoni's India erred and could not regain the advantage against England.The second successive loss (the first was against recharged West Indies) sealed India's fate.

Again, there was no 'chest-beating' Down Under when Ricky Ponting's team returned to their country. Every one is aware that anything can happen in Twenty-20 and victory and defeat are two sides of the match. Why should, then there be huge hue and cry over India's exit? If the masses lose their balance, it is understandable. But why should media display that they lack in 'cricket wisdom'?

However, there are many compelling reasons that led to India failing to perform to their potential. Five important causes are:

1. An unbearable 'burden of expectancy' from hysterical masses, impressionable media and ill-informed officialdom,

2. Burn-out, mental fatigue and injuries (Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan), caused by unwieldy Indian Premium League (IPL), brain-child of Lalit Kumar Modi. (Indian coach Gary Kirsten blasts IPL after India has been done to death),

3. Non-availability of Sehwag led to adherence to injudicious batting order,

4. Vulnerability in shot selection by some specialist batsmen who, in trying to emulate Sehwag, indulged in unorthodox shots and hastened their downfall,

5.Weak zones in field and sloppy fielding .Some catches were dropped by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

If only masses and media do not treat players as 'demi- Gods, as they do, India's performance in international competitions will be much more consistent than has been the case. The pressure of expectancy is far more 'killing' than pressure of the game. Treat players as they are seen in other countries, like, Sri Lanka and Australia. If the players fail to rise to the occasion, the blame rests with public and press. Leave players alone.

The protracted schedule of matches in IPL took a heavy toll of players' fitness. Sadly, board and its officialdom considered money more important than players' well-being. If the World Cup can be finished in 17 days, why should IPL matches be held for 37 days?

Both Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina are highly talented youngsters. They are orthodox in technique and strokeful. Leave them alone to bat, as their technique and style warrant instead of coxing them to indulge in cross-batted shots. No matter what they do, they cannot bat the way Sehwag does.

Fielding was not of international class. Under pressure, Dhoni's captaincy suffered. He ran out of ideas. It had to happen when the 'luck' had deserted him. In a Twenty-20 match, nothing is certain. One player, with his extra-ordinary doings on a particular day, can take the game away from the rivals, no matter how formidable.

The meticulously organized competition saw many upsets and closely-finished competitions. The cheer-leading was dignified, while only concerned officials-two captains, match referee and one TV commentator-were at the centre. The traditions were maintained. The hangars-on were not at the pitch, as it was done in the IPL. The decorum, dignity and etiquette were given due importance. All-out efforts were that the competition stayed razor-sharp , instead of reducing it to 'tamasha'. Ireland, an associate-member, men, bulky and some of them aged, played with immense enthusiasm and zeal . They caused worry to quite a few teams. They proved that they were worthy inclusion in the Cup.