The eagerly awaited final between the “India National Cricket Team and the Australian Men’s Cricket Team” saw the lovely evening of 19th November 2023 at the majestic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India. That colossal venue, with more than 130,000 viewers, witnessed those applicants who were cheered to a frenzy of excitement that rightly befitted the magnitude of the match. Viewers across the globe logged on to television screens to catch the battle of one of the cricketing titans in the One-Day International (ODI) format.
Match Overview
- Date: 19th November 2023
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India
- Format: One-Day International (ODI)
- Result: Australia won by 6 wickets.
- Event: ICC Cricket World Cup Final
This was the final of a very closely contested cricketing competition between the two competing teams. In this case, India entered the tournament’s final, having played without losing any games. Australia, on their part, had played games all through the tournament, and their reasons why they will always remain forces to be reckoned with in World Cups.
India’s Innings
Australia won the toss and chose to field first. They were conscious of some initial morning pace-friendly conditions. India batted first and felt the severe pressure thrown by the Australian bowlers, who brought all their skills to explore the pitch’s conditions.
Key Contributions:
- Rohit Sharma: 47 off 65. The Indian captain looked very good, went for boundaries early, and helped India get off to a good start. His dismissal led to a mid-order meltdown.
- Virat Kohli (54 off 72): He batted composed and anchored the innings for a while but couldn’t muster any worthwhile partnerships to take the score past 300.
- Ravindra Jadeja (36 off 45 balls) gave late momentum essential runs in the lower rung.
Australian Bowling Excellence:
- Mitchell Starc (3/49): The left-arm pacer was instrumental in dismantling India’s top order.
- Josh Hazlewood Bowled tight lines, and India really couldn’t get going.
- Adam Zampa (2/43): He was taking wickets at the right point in the game, not allowing India to take off.
India scored marginally short of what their innings might have deserved, bowling out for 240 in 50 overs from the flat Ahmedabad pitch.
Australia’s Chase
From the Australian perspective, the pace of the innings has been a masterclass. They recovered very well from one early wicket and rarely seemed to be in trouble thereafter.
Key Contributions:
- Travis Head (137 off 120): This was hands down one of the better innings played so far by an Australian opener, disturbing the Indian bowlers with that attacking style, keeping a much-needed bound at required moments, and keeping the required run rate in check.
- Marnus Labuschagne (58 off 110): There was no collapse after the departure of Head, yet Labuschagne played the perfect supporting role.
Indian Bowling Highlights
- Jasprit Bumrah (2/43): The early blow by Bumrah sent David Warner back and kept India in the game.
- Mohammed Shami (1/46): He bowled some parsimonious overs, though others did their bit.
Australia could manage only 241 in 43 overs, losing four wickets on its way to a sixth ICC Cricket World Cup victory.
Australia reached the target of 241 in just 43 overs, losing only four wickets, and clinched their sixth ICC Cricket World Cup title.
Match Turning Points
Rohit Sharma Wicket
He was coming to bat looking for a big knock. He has gone, but in the process of going, he exposed the weakness of the Indian middle order.
Travis Head Century
A cracking hundred by Head meant a sound base and ensured Australia kept away from the run rate required throughout the chase.
The composed Labuschagne
Labuschagne sealed any comeback attempts by India when he sent back Steve Smith with his composed and calculated approach.
Post-Match Reactions
Man of the Match:
- Travis Head won the Man of the Match for his inning of 137 runs.
- Captains’ Quotes Pat Cummins of Australia said: “This win was a great example of the hard work and effort of the whole team. Travis was outstanding, and our bowlers did a magnificent job upfront.”.
- Rohit Sharma (India): “Disappointed at the result, but we are proud of how we have played throughout the tournament. Credit to Australia for their performance today.”.
Key Statistics
- Highest Individual Score: Travis Head 137 runs.
- Top Bowling: Mitchell Starc (3/49)
- Most Over Rate Expensive Bowler: Josh Hazlewood (2/34 in 10 overs)
- Total Spectators: 130,000 plus more
Historical Significance
This guaranteed the Australian record of most efficient titles in the history of the ODI World Cup, with six of them, while for India, it was something of a bittersweet end to a campaign that, all things considered, was brilliant, with the resilient skill portrayed by everybody, starting with Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah as well.
Final Scorecard
- India (1st Innings)
- Total: 240 all out in 50 overs
- Top Scorer:
- Virat Kohli: 54 (72)
- Rohit Sharma: 47 (65)
Australia (2nd Innings)
- Travis Head: 137 (120)
- Marnus Labuschagne: 58* (110)
- Best Bowlers of the Match: India:
- Mitchell Starc: 3/49
- Josh Hazlewood: 2/34
- Australia (2nd Innings)
- TOTAL: 241/4 in 43 overs
Conclusion
This India vs. Australia ICC Cricket World Cup Final 2023 will be one for the ages when individual brilliance and cumulative team efforts merge to create a spectacle of a contest. Australia won, but India’s story onward from the group stage is so massive that it represented enormous supremacy in the group stages and clashed with the best.
Cricket fans would have cheered this epic game that once again presented an instance cricketing history would go to remember the fact that India vs. Australia was one of the treasures in sports. Such a match was engraved in cricketing history as both teams lay in wait for other challenges to come.
FAQs
What was the result of the final match?
Australia successfully attained the target by winning the match with six wickets, chasing 241 runs in 43 overs.
Who were the standout players of the match?
Travis Head: He scored 137 runs off 120 balls and was given the man of the match. Mitchell Starc: He destroyed the Indian batting with 3/49.
Jasprit Bumrah: Bowled well, 2/43 for India.
Why is this match significant in cricket history?
It was the sixth ICC Cricket World Cup title, and it kept its hegemony as a leader in Australia’s ODI World Cup history.
How did India and Australia perform in the tournament leading up to the final?
India had gone through all of its matches without losing a single match and topping the league; however, their opponents showed great resiliency in coming back from losses early on to force their way into the final.