Identical to March 23, 2003 when India misplaced the ODI World Cup remaining to Australia is etched within the recollections of a complete technology, the date of November 19, 2023 will even remind one other technology of the gut-wrenching feeling of dropping one other World Cup remaining, this time at house, in opposition to the identical opponents.
Since that heartbreak in Ahmedabad final 12 months, regardless that India lastly lifted the T20 World Cup in June 2024 which ended their ICC trophy drought, the gnawing feeling of that fateful night time in November nonetheless haunts the Indian cricket followers.
The stage was completely set for Rohit Sharma and Co to deliver the trophy house in entrance of an enormous crowd on the Narendra Modi Stadium, who had been all cheering wildly for the house group. India got here into the match on a 10-match profitable streak whereas Australia had fumbled their opening two matches, dropping to the Males in Blue and South Africa.
“India have definitely performed very nicely on this World Cup. Crowds might be one sided and it’ll satisfying to get them silent,” Australia skipper Pat Cummins had mentioned earlier than the ultimate and as destiny would have it these phrases rang true over the silence of the large stadium as Australia pipped India to carry their sixth title.
Batting first, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli made gritty fifties however Australian bowlers produced a scientific present to bowl out India for a below-par 240.
Despatched in to bat on a sluggish and dry pitch, skipper Rohit Sharma as soon as once more offered India a flying begin with a 31-ball 47 however Australia fought again, snapping three wickets to cut back the hosts to 81 for 3.
Kohli (54) and Rahul (66) then tried to resurrect the Indian innings, including 67 runs earlier than Pat Cummins eliminated the previous. It was a wrestle thereafter, as India failed to search out the boundaries.
Chasing 240, Australia openers went hell for leather-based getting 15 off Jasprit Bumrah’s first over earlier than David Warner was dismissed by Mohammed Shami. Mitchell Marsh additionally acquired going however he was despatched again by Bumrah for 15 because the Aussies went all the way down to 41/2. Steve Smith would observe go well with with simply 4 as Bumrah nabbed his second.
After that, it was all about Travis Head, who grew to become the pantomime villain with a blistering century and Marnus Labuschagne, who scored a gritty half century if his personal, as they constructed a rock strong partnership to get Australia over the road.
