India, Jan. 27 -- Following their historic and unexpected triumph at the inaugural edition in 2007, India had failed to advance to the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup for three tournaments on the bounce. Despite dipping their feet in the swirling waters of the Indian Premier League which, one believed, would prepare the players more than adequately for country vs country contests, India repeatedly flattered to deceive, failing to carry early group-stages dominance into the next phase from where qualification to the semifinals would be decided.

In Bangladesh in 2014 too, India pulled off statement victories, but the revised format meant their unbeaten run in the five-team Group 2 had secured a berth in the last four, where they would...