The Epic Showdown: India vs Australia – ODI World Cup 2023 Final

Read More: Top 5 Batsmen with the Most Sixes in an ODI World Cup

Unprecedented Dominance: Team India’s Stupendous Run

In the 13th edition of the ODI World Cup, India has showcased an extraordinary winning streak, claiming victory in ten consecutive matches. Their performance has been nothing short of spectacular, characterized by dominant chasing displays and an average winning margin of a staggering 175 runs when setting targets in the last five games.

Australia’s Turbulent Journey to the Summit

Australia, standing as India’s formidable opponents in the final, has navigated a more tumultuous path to reach the summit clash. Despite the challenges faced along the way, they draw confidence from being the only team to secure a white-ball series win against India in India over the past eight years, including a notable 2-1 series triumph earlier this year.

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Ahmedabad’s Pitch Dynamics

The Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad unfolds an intriguing narrative with its assortment of pitches, each composed of different soils. This has resulted in distinct pitch behaviors depending on the type used rather than uniform characteristics across the venue. With an average first innings total of 251 in the World Cup 2023, spinners have found success in the afternoon games, exploiting the pitch’s hold without significant turn. However, the conditions may exhibit variations, especially considering the final will be played on the same pitch as the India-Pakistan game over a month ago.

Powerplay Theatre: Batting Brilliance vs Bowling Mastery

The final promises a tantalizing clash between the best batting side in Powerplay 1 and the most incisive bowling attack. India’s top three, comprising the explosive trio of David Warner, Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh, will lock horns with the formidable trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj. Shami’s effectiveness against left-handers and Siraj’s intriguing battle against Australia’s top three introduce strategic nuances to this critical phase, setting the tone for the entire match.

Spin Symphony in the Middle Overs

India’s spinners have emerged as a formidable force, particularly in dismantling opposition middle orders. The clash between Australia’s middle order, featuring stalwarts like Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Josh Inglis, against India’s spin trio adds a layer of intrigue to the encounter. Kuldeep Yadav’s potential impact against key Australian batsmen introduces an additional dimension to this critical battle within the larger war.

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Rohit Sharma’s Powerplay Prowess: A Spectacle Unmatched

Rohit Sharma’s explosive starts in the Powerplay have been a defining feature of India’s campaign in the World Cup. The pace trio of Australia, led by the relentless Josh Hazlewood, aims to contain Rohit’s onslaught and disrupt India’s in-form middle order. Clever variations in pace could hold the key, considering Rohit’s susceptibility to off-pace deliveries, providing a strategic avenue for the Australian bowlers.

Kohli vs Hazlewood and Zampa’s Looming Threat

The clash between Virat Kohli and Josh Hazlewood adds a captivating subplot to the match, with the fast bowler having gained the upper hand in recent encounters. Simultaneously, Adam Zampa emerges as a significant threat with his success against most Indian batters. The ability of young guns Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer to counter Zampa and Maxwell becomes pivotal in the middle overs, contributing to India’s strategy against Australia’s bowling attack.

Zampa vs India batters in ODIs

Rohit Sharma’s World Cup Final Press Conference

Preparation and Role Clarity

Rohit Sharma highlighted the meticulous preparation the team underwent since he took over as captain, focusing on identifying players’ roles over the past two years. The emphasis on role clarity played a pivotal role in their journey to the World Cup final.

Focus on Australia and Team’s Performance

Acknowledging Australia’s unbeaten streak, Rohit expressed the team’s respect for their opponents but emphasized the importance of focusing on their own cricket and plans. He commended the bowlers for their exceptional performances, both in defending and chasing.

Composure Amidst Pressure

Rohit discussed the team’s calm and composed approach in dealing with external pressures, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus and executing plans effectively, especially in the high-stakes World Cup final.

Rahul Dravid’s Influence

Rohit credited Rahul Dravid for his crucial role in providing role clarity to players, highlighting the significance of aligning with different playing styles and lauding Dravid’s contributions to Indian cricket.

Approach and Pitch Conditions

Discussing the playing XI, Rohit remained open, stating that anyone from the squad could be selected based on pitch conditions and the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. He provided insights into the anticipated slower track and the presence of grass on the pitch.

Rejecting Aura and Staying Present

Rejecting the notion of aura, Rohit emphasized the team’s commitment to playing their best cricket in the present, avoiding complacency based on past performances. He stressed the importance of focusing on the current World Cup rather than historical achievements.

Adaptive Batting and Team Environment

Rohit discussed his adaptive batting approach based on pitch conditions and the importance of keeping a calm and balanced mindset. He highlighted the mix of laughter and tension in the changing room, emphasizing the team’s final push and the joy derived from the journey.

Playing a Defined Brand of Cricket

Rohit underscored the importance of playing a certain brand of cricket, implementing pre-decided strategies, and creating a special team environment that has contributed to their success in the tournament.

Pat Cummins Sets the Stage: World Cup Final Press Conference

Indian Bowling Attack: A Challenge to Decipher

When questioned about India’s formidable bowling attack, Cummins admitted it’s hard to pinpoint their weaknesses. He acknowledged India’s stellar performance in the tournament and emphasized the need to draw from past experiences to devise strategies against this formidable Indian side.

Crowd Dynamics: Embracing the One-Sided Roar

On the anticipated one-sided crowd, Cummins maintained a composed stance, expressing the importance of embracing the atmosphere. He stressed the need to be mentally prepared, stating, “You have to love it. Whatever happens is fine; just want to finish the day without any regrets.“

Australia’s World Cup Journey: A Different Path to Confidence

Reflecting on Australia’s journey in this World Cup, Cummins highlighted the absence of easy wins. He acknowledged that each victory required a fight, instilling a unique kind of confidence in the team. Despite the lack of dominant wins, Cummins sees this as a source of strength.

India: Impressive and Formidable Opponents

In acknowledging India’s performance, Cummins praised the opposition, stating, “India has been very impressive. They are tough opposition; they have won every game.” This recognition underlines the respect Australia holds for the Indian team heading into the final.

Bowling Strategy in Ahmedabad: Early Opportunities Crucial

Discussing the conditions in Ahmedabad, Cummins shed light on the swinging nature of the ball in the initial overs. He emphasized the team’s approach to create chances early in the game, especially taking advantage of the swinging conditions in the first few overs.

Dew Factor: Navigating the Challenges

Addressing the dew factor in Ahmedabad, Cummins highlighted the unique challenge posed by the city and venue, where dew becomes a significant factor. He acknowledged that batting during the day would be comparatively easier, emphasizing the need to adapt to the conditions.

Lifting the Trophy: A Privilege and Milestone

When questioned about the possibility of lifting the World Cup, Cummins expressed the significance of such an achievement. As a captain, he sees it as an absolute privilege and acknowledged the rarity of such opportunities in a player’s career. He concluded by noting, “Even if you have a long career, you might play only two such events,” emphasizing the magnitude of the occasion.

Pat Cummins’ insights provide a glimpse into Australia’s mindset and preparations as they gear up for the monumental World Cup final, embracing the challenges and anticipating a thrilling encounter.

In the grand finale of the ODI World Cup 2023, each phase of the game promises intense competition, making it a monumental clash of cricketing titans vying for the prestigious championship.

Event Details

• Match: India vs Australia, World Cup Final
• Date: November 19
• Time: 14:00 IST
• Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Anticipation

The stage is set for a spectacle worthy of the occasion. Over 1 lakh spectators, including the Prime Minister of India, will gather at the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium to witness the creation of sporting history. Beyond the intense cricketing battle, the event promises additional attractions, including a pre-match air show, a concert, and a light show during the drinks breaks, followed by another concert during the interval between innings.

Pitch Dynamics

Size becomes a strategic factor, with the distances to the boundaries from the pitch center expected to be nearly 10 meters longer than at the semifinal venues in Mumbai and Kolkata. Pitch No.5, previously used in the India-Pakistan game, displays a darkish hue indicative of a black soil surface, suggesting potential lower bounce and slow turn. The venue has favored chasing teams, with dew playing a significant role. The average first innings score in this World Cup at this ground is 251.

Team News

India

India is likely to maintain the winning combination unless hindered by a late fitness concern. While Ravichandran Ashwin showed fitness in both bowling and batting sessions, the team is cautious about altering the balance, considering the risk of either having a two-seamer attack or being one pure batter short.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Australia

Australia, after contemplating the inclusion of Marcus Stoinis in the semifinal, is likely to persist with the same winning combination.

Probable XI: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Catch the Action Live: India vs Australia, World Cup Final Streaming Details

For cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the Final showdown between India and Australia tomorrow on a Sunday, 19th November 2023, here are the essential streaming details. The match is scheduled to commence at 2 pm (IST), with the toss set to take place at 1.30 pm.

Just like the previous matches, this high-octane Final encounter will be streamed live on the Disney+ Hotstar mobile app, providing fans with a front-row seat to the action for free. For those opting to watch on TV or laptop, a subscription to Disney+ Hotstar is necessary. The match will also be broadcast on the Star Sports Network, ensuring that fans have multiple avenues to catch the game, whether on the go or from the comfort of their homes.