The highly anticipated final match of the 2023 Cricket World Cup was played at the historic Narendra Modi Stadium on November 19, 2023. The match was a complete sellout, with a sea of blue filling the stands and the electrifying atmosphere echoing with the chants of Indian fans. As Australia and India prepared to clash for the trophy, the stage was set for an unforgettable cricketing spectacle.
The Captain’s Call: Winning the Toss
Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that worked in their favor. India’s batsmen sought to establish a strong foundation early in their innings. However, the Aussies were determined to make it difficult for India, sending back Shubman Gill in the third over.
India’s Solid Start and Early Wickets
Despite losing Shubman Gill early in the innings, India’s batting stalwarts, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, steadied the ship and built a promising partnership. Rohit Sharma played with his customary elegance, while Kohli exuded his trademark grit and determination.
However, Australia’s bowlers, led by the formidable Mitchell Starc, struck back, dismissing Rohit Sharma and Kohli in quick succession. This put immense pressure on India’s middle order, and they struggled to find rhythm and momentum.
KL Rahul’s Solitary Fight and Australia’s Steady Chase
KL Rahul, the lone warrior, held the Indian innings together, but the lack of support from his teammates proved costly. Australia’s bowlers maintained a tight grip on the proceedings, restricting India to a below-par total of 241 runs.
Did you know?
India scored just 1 boundary between the 11th to 40th over while 3 boundaries in the last 40 overs. This significant slowdown in India’s scoring rate during the middle overs contributed to their lower-than-expected total of 240 runs.
Despite a low target, Indian fans were confident about their bowling lineup as Shami and Bumrah had been performing exceptionally well throughout the tournament.
Bumrah’s first over was quite expensive. However, Shami provided the first breakthrough for India in the second over by sending inform David Warner back to the pavilion. After losing the first wickets, Australia was looking for a partnership that could set the foundation of their victory.
Before they could recover from the loss of the first wicket, Bumrah took the wicket of Marsh and Steve Smith, putting Australia in trouble. Now, they needed a match-winning partnership from their upcoming batsmen to avoid fall of wickets.
Australia adopted a measured and calculated approach, avoiding any reckless shots that could jeopardize their pursuit of the target. Marnus Labuschagne played a solid anchor role, while Travis Head provided the necessary aggression.
Australia’s Clinical Finishing and India’s Fading Hopes
The duo of Labuschagne and Head forged a crucial partnership that guided Australia steadily towards the target. Despite India’s bowling efforts, Australia crossed the finish line with relative ease, securing their sixth World Cup title in style.
Their strategy worked and they were able to chase down the target by the 43rd over. It was not just a victory, but a nightmare for Indian fans, shattering their dream of becoming the world champion for the third time. More than a billion people were not expecting this, it was a heart wrenching moment for all of them.
Factors Contributing to Australia’s Victory
RIGHT DECISION WAS MADE AT THE TOSS
Australia Captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bowl first, this was one of the crucial and significant decision that was made. During the first innings, it helped the Ausie bowler and stopped Indian batsmen at a store of 240. On the other hand, there was no help of the bowlers during the second innings helping Australis to clinch an easy victory in the historic 2023 CWC final.
DISCIPLINED BOWLING PERFORMANCE:
Australia’s bowlers, led by Mitchell Starc, displayed great control and accuracy throughout the innings. They exploited the conditions well and made it difficult for Indian batsmen to score freely.
EFFECTIVE FIELDING:
Australia’s fielding was exemplary throughout the match. They took their chances and made crucial catches that prevented Pakistan from gaining momentum.
SENSIBLE BATTING AFTER LOSING EARLY WICKETS:
Australia’s batsmen, particularly Labuschagne and Head, exhibited patience and composure, building partnerships and rotating the strike effectively.
