Following a rather risky decision by Pat Cummins to put Team India into bat first, the Men in Blue sprinted to 80 runs in the initial powerplay, led by Rohit Sharma’s rapid 47, despite Shubman Gill departing early after scoring a mere four runs. However, the quick dismissals of the captain and Shreyas Iyer within a short span of five deliveries left the crowd at Narendra Modi Stadium stunned and significantly slowed down India’s scoring pace.
Virat Kohli and KL Rahul managed a painstaking 67-run partnership in 109 deliveries, with only one boundary, as they steadied the innings after the setbacks. Kohli achieved his fifth consecutive half-century but fell prey to Pat Cummins. Ravindra Jadeja, pushed up the order, could only contribute nine runs, while Rahul held the fort on the other end.
However, after Rahul’s resilient 66 off 109 balls, India’s innings received small boosts from Suryakumar Yadav and the lower-order batsmen, concluding at a total of 241. Mitchell Starc emerged as the leading wicket-taker with three scalps, while Cummins showcased exceptional bowling figures of 2/34, complemented by superb fielding by the entire Australian team.
In response, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami commenced the second innings with a display of swift pace bowling, claiming three wickets in the powerplay and making the chase appear daunting. Yet, Travis Head emerged as a game-changer, effortlessly scoring boundaries on the dry, sluggish surface where others struggled.
Meanwhile, Marnus Labuschagne cautiously supported Head’s aggressive play, eventually reaching his own half-century in 99 balls. Head, after a sensational 137, departed, ending the 192-run partnership, leaving Australia just two runs away from victory.
Video of the day
— AP (@AksP009) November 19, 2023
✅Player of the Tournament- Virat Kohli
✅Indian Team and champions of World Cup Australia 👏 for 🐐 #ViratKohli𓃵 #ICCCricketWorldCup #INDvsAUSfinal #INDvsAUS #CWC2023Final pic.twitter.com/ptGIBhcI12
Painful walk by Rohit Sharma & his team after the loss. 💔pic.twitter.com/8Xle3iHak3
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 19, 2023
Despite this setback, the yellow-clad team sealed the win with six wickets and 42 balls remaining, handing the Men in Blue their second finals defeat, reminiscent of a similar outcome two decades ago in Johannesburg.