Team India’s dream of winning an ICC event title continues as Australia defeated India by 6 wickets in the 2023 World Cup final on Sunday. With a comfortable win, the mighty Aussies lifted the trophy for the sixth time, the highest ever by any team in cricket history. Chasing a target of 241, Australian opener Travis Head took the game away from the hosts with a blistering knock of 137 and Marnus Labuschagne supported him well with a fine unbeaten 58. The only thing for India on the day was Virat Kohli receiving the Player of the Tournament award.
After being put into bat first, India lost Shubman Gill (4) early. But India’s captain Rohit Sharma kept playing attacking shots to score runs quickly. However, in the 10th over, Head took a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Rohit for 47. Pat Cummins put more pressure on India by dismissing Shreyas Iyer (4) in the very next over. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul steadied the Indian innings with a fine 67-run partnership.
However, both failed to take risks and score runs at a good striking rate. Cummins then bowled an excellent delivery to clean up Kohli (54). Ravindra Jadeja (9) failed to make an impact while Rahul (66) departed in a crucial situation when India needed him the most. The Aussies kept Suryakumar Yadav under control and removed him for 18. India managed to reach a defendable total of 240 in 50 overs.
In reply, Mohammed Shami gave India a good start by dismissing David Warner (7) in the second over. Jasprit Bumrah then removed the dangerous Mitchell Marsh (15). In his next over, Bumrah trapped Steve Smith (4) LBW to put Australia on the back foot. But Head and Labuschagne slowly steadied their innings and dominated the Indian bowlers once settled, adding a match-winning 192-run partnership. Indian spinners failed to bowl up to the mark and get wickets.
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