ICC World Cup 2023 Final: Travis Head-Labuschagne partnership helps Australia clinch sixth cup (Image: ICC)
The final power-packed battle at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad culminated in breaking the hearts of a billion Indian fans. In the ultimate shutdown of a mega majestic event with over 1.3 million spectators in the gallery, Australia beat India in the ICC World Cup final to clinch their sixth World Cup, adding to their victories in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2015. A terrific performance by Australia’s Travis Head, who scored 137 runs, helped the Aussies overcome the powerful Indian bowling attack. Travis Head returned to the gallery when the victory was only two runs away, leaving his partner in the fantastic partnership, Manus Labuschagne, at the crease to witness the victory.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Australia chose to bowl and limited the target to 241. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul stood firm against the brilliant bowling attack by the Aussies. Though they lost three wickets in succession in the first seven overs, it was the terrific combination of Head and Labuschagne that helped Australia meet the decent target set by the host nation. This is India’s first defeat in the tournament; alas, it came in the final of the ICC World Cup 2023.
India Australia final highlights:
After 41 overs, Australia need 11 runs to click their 6th World Cup. Labuschagne hits half century.
After 35 overs, Australia is still solid and terrific Travis Head smashes century after sending Jadeja to boundary in the last over.
After 32 overs, Head-Labuschagne partnership is going strong and Australia is in a comfortable position with 172/3.
After 22 overs, Australia is going strong with a substantial partnership of both Labuschagne and Head, in which the later has scored a half century.
After 17 overs, Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne partnership has helped Australia to settle with a decent score of 93 runs.
India was able to strike first as Australia started their batting. In the first five overs, the hosting nation of ICC cricket World Cup has sent both David Warner and Mitchel Marsh back to pavilion.
In a big blow to the Aussies, Bumrah bagged Mitchel Marsh”s wicket as the Australian batter was caught by KL Rahul.
Australia has lost David Warner as Shami claimed first wicket.
Australia limited India to 240 runs in 50 overs. The score would have been more less if the tail-end batsmen Siraj and Kuldeep had not touched two digits.
India were struggling at 214 after losing 8 wickets in 45 overs. Jasprit Bumrah has also returned to the pavilion after falling for an LBW. After India started with a mayhem at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad with fireworks from Rohit and Kohli, they were unable to stand the tactical bowling attack from Cummins and his men. Only man who was able to survive the Aussie onslaught was KL Rahul who scored 66 runs in 107 balls.
Earlier Kohli was returned by Pat Cummins after scoring 54 runs from 63 balls. The stadium went silent for a minute as Kohli was dragged back.
Suryakumar Yadav, who was expected to be fighting till the end, returns after scoring 18 runs in 26 balls
Josh Hazlewood hit Jadeja and India lost another wicket. Suryakumar Yadav walks out of the middle as India struggled at 178-5.
Virat Kohli send back by Pat Cummins and Ravindra Jadeja replaced partnership to KL Rahul.
King Kohli completed half century. Not to break the records, but for the team at its crucial period… Virat Kohli completed a stunning fifty… It is the fifth consecutive fifty for King Kohli and is repeating the same excellence he did in the previous matches.
India crossed 100 runs, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli in partnership
KL Rahul on board. Here began the Rahul-Virat Partnership.
Another unexpected turn to India. Shreyas Iyer went out with 4 in 3 balls.
Indian Captain Rohit Sharma returned pavilion with 47 in 31 balls.
Virat Kohli hit three back-to-back boundaries and India scored 54/1 as 7th over ends.
India lost first wicket. Shubman Gill – 4(7) – went out as Australia”s Mitchell Starc draws first blood for the yellow army. Master man Virat Kohli on pitch and the crowd rose huge cheers to their favourite player who had recently broke legendary player Sachin Tendulkar”s ODI run records.
Witnessing the electrifying atmosphere around, the final show had begun. Literally the stadium is a sea of blue and Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill set the opening partnership.
End of pre-match formalities.
Australia”s Playing XI : Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis (WK), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (C), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
India”s Playing XI: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj,
Aussies won the toss and choose to bowl first. India will head batting in the beginning. Australian skipper Pat Cummins said they want to ball during the day and back themselves to chase later. Indian Captain Rohit Sharma said that they would have batted first anyway if won the toss.
The Men in Blue with their unbeaten strike record is much anticipated to show a jam-packed performance, enthralling the 1.3 lakh crease fanatics across the world. Australia is also not far, the team is highly competent and skilful, one of the finest around the globe.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday released the full list of events and celebrities that would add the grand extravaganza of the mega-match. The two former World Cup-winning captains Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni will be among the audience for the world’s largest of entertainment.
To enthral the celebration, the Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran team is all set to perform aerobatic displays ahead of the matches. The pre-match airshow will begin by 1.35 in the afternoon and presents an enchanting experience till 1.50 pm. A video of the rehearsal had already surfaced on social media and went viral. The show will definitely add colour to the closing match of the prestigious tournament.
During the first innings drinks break Coke Studio’s Gujarati singing sensation Aditya Gadhavi of ‘Gotilo’ fame will perform. Bollywood music composer Pritam, singers Jonita Gandhi, Nakash Aziz, Akasa Joshi, Tushar Joshi and Amit Mishra will entertain a 1.3 lakh crowd during the innings break. 500 dancers from Mumbai adds colour and mark mesmerising steps to popular Bollywood numbers.
