India head into Saturday's T20 World Cup final against South Africa hoping it will be third time lucky as the cricketing powerhouse looks to deliver a world title after successive defeats in finals, reports BSS.
The combination of coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma experienced the double disappointment last year of defeat in the World Test Championship final and the 50-over World Cup -- losing both to Australia.
The country which more than any other popularised the shortest form with the hugely successful Indian Premier League now stands on the brink of their second T20 World Cup title and first since the inaugral edition in 2007.
Dravid, who is standing down as coach after this tournament, prefers to view the two runners-up spots as a positive sign of the team's consistency across formats.
"I think it's good that we are consistent and playing good cricket. For many years, especially in the last year, being number one in all three formats, playing in the finals, it gives a lot of credit to the boys who are Test cricketers, who are our one-day players and also our T20 players.
"Indian cricket has shown a lot of consistency and it is a very happy thing. And if we play well and if we have the rub of the green, then we will win," he said.
The 50-over World Cup defeat was particularly painful with the expectant home crowd in Ahmedabad expecting a celebration but witnessing Australia win with seven overs to spare.
Dravid doesn't believe there is a need to approach Saturday's game at Kensington Oval any differently than for last year's ODI defeat however.
"I thought we were very well prepared in that final in Ahmedabad as well. We had done all the things, we had ticked all the boxes and, on the day, the other team played better and that's part of the sport," he said.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
