A clinical batting and bowling by Australian cricket team has shattered India’s dream of securing another ICC tournament victory on their home soil by triumphing over the hosts in the World Cup 2023 final.
This victory marks Australia’s sixth ODI title and adds to their impressive collection of ICC trophies, having already claimed the T20 World Cup and World Test Championship within the last two years.
The highly anticipated final took place at the packed Narendra Modi Stadium, where over 100,000 predominantly Indian fans sat mostly in deathly silence as the Rohit Sharma-led side succumbed to their first loss of the tournament. Despite winning 10 consecutive matches to reach the final, India could not maintain their winning streak in the crucial summit clash.
Opting to field after winning the toss, Australia’s decision, led by captain Pat Cummins, raised eyebrows but ultimately proved effective. The Australian bowlers, supported by superb fielding, stifled the Indian batsmen, limiting them to a below-par total of 240 all out in exactly 50 overs.
India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, who had been a key player in their successful batting template throughout the tournament, continued his impressive form in the final. However, his entertaining knock of 47 came to an end just before the end of the powerplay when he mistimed a shot off Glenn Maxwell, resulting in a tumbling catch taken by Travis Head.
Despite the early loss of Shubman Gill, battling half-centuries by KL Rahul and Virat Kohli kept India in the game. Kohli, who reached his ninth 50-plus knock in 11 innings, and Rahul put on a dour rebuilding partnership, enduring 16.1 overs without a boundary. However, Cummins’ dismissal of Shreyas Iyer and Kohli in quick succession dented India’s hopes.
Australia, when they came out to bat, faced their own top-order challenges and slumped to 47-3 within seven overs. However, Travis Head emerged as the hero for the Australians, playing a match-winning innings of 137 off 120 balls. His exceptional partnership with Marnus Labuschagne, who contributed an unbeaten 58, steered Australia to victory with seven overs to spare, showcasing their dominance in the world of cricket.
