New Delhi: November 19, 2023, is a date that Indian cricket aficionados wish to efface from the rich and vast history of the sport. It was the day which left many with teary eyes, shell shocked faces, dejected hearts as numbness took centre stage at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The Rohit Sharma-led Indian men’s team had a dominant run, winning 10 matches in a row, to reach the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. The campaign looked impeccable with India demolishing every other contender in their path to glory nonchalantly but the final hurdle wasn’t cracked.
The Australians fired on all cylinders at the erstwhile Motera Stadium to leave the 11 Indians on the field flabbergasted if anything, besides the million supporters of the hosts were issued with a statement that the Australians cannot be written off when the stakes is the ICC tournaments.
On the eve of the match, Australian captain Pat Cummins manifested hearing a big crowd go silent, and true to his words, he and his men cunningly delivered.
It was just that one bad game that cost India the prestigious trophy, for which they vied for 45 days only to finish as the second best team of the tournament. The scars were brazen of the uneventful day which were only healed when the Indian team lifted the 2024 T20 World Cup title in Barbados this year.
India vs Australia 2023 World Cup final match summary
Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and surprised everyone with his decision to bowl first. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma got off to a flying start with his blitzkrieg of 47 runs in 31 balls powered by four boundaries and three sixes. Rohit’s dismissal paved the way for Australia to fightback as India were bundled up for a mediocre score of 240 as wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul top-scored with 66 runs from 107 balls.
Australian opener Travis Head played a scintillating knock of 137 to lead his side’s charge in the accompany of a determined Marnus Labuschagne (58*) as they chased the target with 42 deliveries and six wickets to spare to lift their record sixth World Cup title. Mitchell Starc was the best bowler from Australia with figures of 3 for 55 while Pat Cummins (2 for 34) and Josh Hazlewood (2 for 60) ably supported the left-arm quick in foiling up the Indians.
On the eve of the match, Australian captain Pat Cummins manifested hearing a big crowd go silent, and true to his words, he and his men cunningly delivered. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
