“Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar” – Its English translation relates to “The one who wins is the king.” Yes, it is the title of a popular Bollywood movie, but this phrase can be used in sports too. The team (or individual) that raises its game in the summit clash or knockouts lifts the trophy. The opponent could be the one that has won six-seven games in a row, but if a set of players can’t handle the pressure on the big day, then all they can do is witness the victors enjoy their moment in the sun with glum-looking faces.
The Meg Lanning-led Delhi Capitals’ set-up was no different. Although DC and Mumbai Indians, their opponent in the 2025 WPL final, had won the same number of games in the league phase, the latter defeated MI on both occasions in the first round. However, in the final, DC’s players were hit by a bout of jangling nerves and their side came second-best.
Interestingly, Lanning, the DC skipper, ended up winning five world titles as the Australian captain, but she has now lost three finals in a row in the WPL. A few of Lanning’s decisions in the summit clash, including the one related to Jess Jonassen not finishing her quota of overs on a track that was offering grip for the spinners, would be debated for a long time. Perhaps the pressure got to even an experienced campaigner like Lanning.
To have a deeper understanding of the above-mentioned points, let’s sift through examples from other sports. The 1982 Brazilian football team had the likes of Sócrates, Zico, Falcão and Toninho Cerezo in their ranks. But after winning all their games in the first group round, they lost to Italy in the second group round, 2-3. One loss to the eventual champions and it was all over for the gifted side.
In the world of tennis, Goran Ivanišević was given a wildcard to participate in the 2001 Wimbledon. Meanwhile, Pete Sampras, alongside Andre Agassi and Pat Rafter, were given the top billing to emerge triumphant. Just that, Ivanišević won one match after another and defeated Rafter in a cliffhanger in the final. Ironically, he was the same player who had been labelled as a choker after succumbing to defeats in previous title bouts. Six years after hurtling to a loss in the 1995 Wimbledon final, he built up some momentum and was able to soak in the pressure of playing the big moments.
That brings up a question – How does a player or a team go about tackling those pressure moments in a big clash? Novak Djokovic, who has won 24 Grand Slams in tennis, has this to say to the Tennis Channel: “Mental strength is not a gift. It is something that comes with work. Conscious breathing is a big part of it, especially in moments when you’re under tension. I don’t like this mindset which I see a lot in sports, ‘just think positive thoughts, be optimistic, there is no room for failure.’ It is impossible, you’re a human being.
“The difference I guess between the guys who are the biggest champions and the ones that are struggling to get to that level is the ability to not stay in those emotions for too long. As soon as I experience it, I acknowledge it, maybe I burst out or scream on the court, but I am able to bounce back and reset.”
Basically, it comes down to finding ways to stay in the present and waiting for the momentum to tilt in your favour. Each individual would have his or her own ways of dealing with those mini setbacks during a match. But the best of the lot is just that little bit better with handling pressure. Around two years ago, we witnessed another glimpse of it as India seemed invincible during the league phase of the World Cup, but they slipped to a loss in the final to Australia. The Indian players just couldn’t execute their plans in the marquee clash.
Thankfully for the Indian cricket fans, their beloved side broke a 11-year jinx at ICC events by winning the 2024 T20 World Cup and that was followed by another triumph in the Champions Trophy. Maybe, after losing three finals in succession, DC too would chart a turnaround next year. But for that to happen, they have to go through the grind of qualifying for the all-important clash, once again. More importantly, conquer their inner demons and win the big moments in the final. For now, all they can do is contemplate on the lines – what might have been?