The Australia Men’s Cricket Team shocked favorites India to bag another ODI Cricket World Cup title in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Team India looked set to win the ODI Cricket World Cup title in over a decade when they faced Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Australia elected to bowl after the toss and all seemed to be going well after India skipper Rohit Sharma pumped up their chances in the pre-match interview. However, Australia put up one of their most dogged performances in recent months to snatch the title from the Men in Blue.
As it stands, Australia is the most successful cricket team in ODI CWC history with six trophies in their cabinet. Team India was well on their way to a remarkable win in front of the home fans in a low-scoring tie for some sections of this encounter, but it was not to be.
Hosts Failed in the Batting Range
Looking back at the results in the CWC 2023 for Team India, fans expected this star-studded team to blow the Aussies. The hosts batted first, but a resilient performance from Australia saw them post a measly 240-run haul poor by their standards.
Hope was still alive for Team India for many overs in the game, but fans will come to rue the missed batting chances from top-order swingers and other Men in Blue hitters.
Bumrah and Shami Charged Into the Bowling Arena
Skilled Team India bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami looked to be the only lifeline left after batters failed to post a bigger margin. All seemed set to go India’s way until the score got to 47 for 3 after seven overs. Smith failed to call a review that would have gone in his favor and on came Head and Labuschagne to show a dogged display of cricketing partnership.
Australian Head Shatters Indian Hearts
Many fans in the Narendra Modi Stadium were convinced Australia wouldn’t get a record-extending sixth title on the night, but Travis Head had other plans. Head mustered an amazing 137 runs off 120 balls to calm Australian nerves following a wobbly start.
The century from Head made sure Australia would get over the line and reach their target of 241. Head combined with Labuschagne (58 n/o) to post a remarkable 192-run haul, shattering India’s hopes of sealing the World Cup on home soil.
How Team India Players Reacted to the Loss
Head’s century and Team India’s failure to contain his partnership with Labuschagne sent shockwaves throughout the cricketing world. After the game, a visibly distraught Virat Kohli was captured covering his face with a cap. India skipper Rohit Sharma walked off the pitch with a bowed head, and star seamer Mohammed Siraj couldn’t hold back the tears.
India last got their hands on a major ICC title in the early 2010s and it has been difficult for the team ever since. Fans hoped hosting the tournament would boost their chances this time around, but it was not to be.
Cummins and Dravid Have Their Say About Australia’s Win
Australian cricketer Pat Cummins believes his team’s win is a major achievement and their biggest career victory of all time:
“I think that’s the pinnacle of international cricket, winning a one-day World Cup, It’s been a big year for everyone, but our cricket team has been here in India, the Ashes, World Test Championship and to top it off with this is just huge”
India posted a run of victories throughout this tournament leading up to the final. Fans were expecting them to go one better, but India coach Rahul Dravid believes Australia were the better team on the night:
“They [Australia] came here with eight wins on the bounce, so we were under no illusions that this was going to be a tough contest. “We were confident that if we played well, we’d get the right result but unfortunately on the day they played better than us.”
India continues their hunt for an elusive ICC trophy after the World Cup 2023 heartbreak. Fans and commentators hope they will get the comeback they seek in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup and quench their thirst for cricketing glory.
