Indian players including Virat Kohli congratulate Australian team members after they won the Cricket World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Express photo by Nirmal Harindran
Just like March 23, 2003 when India lost the ODI World Cup final to Australia is etched in the memories of an entire generation, the date of November 19, 2023 will also remind another generation of the gut-wrenching feeling of losing another World Cup final, this time at home, against the same opponents.
Since that heartbreak in Ahmedabad last year, even though India finally lifted the T20 World Cup in June 2024 which ended their ICC trophy drought, the gnawing feeling of that fateful night in November still haunts the Indian cricket fans.
The stage was perfectly set for Rohit Sharma and Co to bring the trophy home in front of a huge crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium, who were all cheering wildly for the home team. India came into the match on a 10-match winning streak while Australia had fumbled their opening two matches, losing to the Men in Blue and South Africa.
“India have certainly played very well in this World Cup. Crowds will be one sided and it will satisfying to get them silent,” Australia skipper Pat Cummins had said before the final and as fate would have it those words rang true over the silence of the huge stadium as Australia pipped India to lift their 6th title.
Batting first, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli made gritty fifties but Australian bowlers produced a clinical show to bowl out India for a below-par 240.
Sent in to bat on a slow and dry pitch, skipper Rohit Sharma once again provided India a flying start with a 31-ball 47 but Australia fought back, snapping three wickets to reduce the hosts to 81 for 3.
Kohli (54) and Rahul (66) then tried to resurrect the Indian innings, adding 67 runs before Pat Cummins removed the former. It was a struggle thereafter, as India failed to find the boundaries.
Chasing 240, Australia openers went hell for leather getting 15 off Jasprit Bumrah’s first over before David Warner was dismissed by Mohammed Shami. Mitchell Marsh also got going but he was sent back by Bumrah for 15 as the Aussies went down to 41/2. Steve Smith would follow suit with just 4 as Bumrah nabbed his second.
After that, it was all about Travis Head, who became the pantomime villain with a blistering century and Marnus Labuschagne, who scored a gritty half century if his own, as they built a rock solid partnership to get Australia over the line.
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