(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] The ODI World Cup 2023 final culminated in a six-wicket Australia win as India had to again face a disappointment in an ICC event.
Opting to bowl first, fans and pundits debated if Pat Cummins had done a Sourav Ganguly, who made a similar decision in the World Cup 2003 final that India lost to Australia.
However, as it turned out, Cummins was spot-on with his assessment of the Ahmedabad pitch. India captain Rohit Sharma, as usual, was quick off the blocks. But as soon as Glenn Maxwell dismissed him in the 10th over of the innings with Travis Head taking a remarkable catch, things went downhill for India.
Virat Kohli extended his good form, hitting yet another fifty. KL Rahul too played a good hand, scoring a 107-ball 66, which some would feel is a tad slower knock, considering how the pitch played out in the second innings.
After Cummins and Mitchell Starc got the better of Kohli and Rahul respectively, India could never recover, only managing a below-par total of 240 runs.
In reply, Australia lost three early wickets. Mohammad Shami again claimed a scalp in his first form, sending David Warner back to the dressing room. Jasprit Bumrah bagged the next two wickets in the form of Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith, who decided against taking a review on the on-field LBW call, but was not-out.
It seemed that the Indian bowlers would cap off their scintillating performance in the tournament with the title. But it was not to be.
Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne formed a 192-run stand, confirming the victory for Australia. Head donned the aggressor’s role, smashing 137 runs off 120 deliveries, while Labuschagne quietly did his job, scoring unbeaten 110-ball 58.
Head tried to finish off the chase in the style but got caught in the process. His wicket did not mean much in the context of the match as the game was already done and dusted by then. Glenn Maxwell hit the winning shot as Australia won their record-extending sixth ODI World Cup trophy.