World Cup closing 2023: India takes on Australia in battle for ODI supremacy

The World Cup awaits its coronation. Opening its marketing campaign towards Australia in Chennai on October 8, India will now face the identical opponent within the closing on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. For the Men in Blue, life has come a full circle whereas they search the cup that can add lustre to their legacy.

The host has remained unbeaten thus far, and the rival has notched eight wins on the trot. Just just like the IAF jets that did their sorties on Saturday, India and Australia too need to scale the skies when the mud ultimately settles on the quadrennial event. Just that one crew will embrace ecstasy whereas the opposite will sulk in agony, and that’s the nature of the game.

Australia final performed a World Cup closing on Indian soil within the 1987 version, when Allan Border’s males prevailed over England at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. Cut to the current, the problem is much more arduous as Rohit Sharma’s males are in red-hot kind.

The crew hit the excessive notes all by means of the championship, and if there was a stutter, it got here proper in that first conflict towards Australia when India was lowered to 2 for 3 whereas chasing 199. Eventually, the host prevailed, and since then has by no means seemed again.

But that transient stretch of vulnerability ought to enthuse the Aussies, as they hope to spoil India’s anticipated social gathering at a gargantuan venue the place greater than a lakh will throng, wanting to develop into a part of historical past. That India hasn’t gained any ICC silverware for the reason that 2013 Champions Trophy title in England has been too heavy a cross to bear, and Rohit and firm get an opportunity to finish this 10-year drought.

Rohit, Virat Kohli, and the opposite batters are all in excellent contact; the identical holds true for the bowlers led by Jasprit Bumrah, as their rhythm and vitality ranges have been glorious. The fielding did lag a bit towards New Zealand within the semifinal in Mumbai, and hopefully, it’ll stay an aberration.

Meanwhile, Pat Cummins and his males have steadily progressed and have sufficient firepower to check the Indians. David Warner and Glenn Maxwell, amongst batters and the Mitchell Starc-led assault with Adam Zampa providing the spinning counter are all a part of the opposition’s strengths.

It is a unit that won’t have fired in unison like India, however Australia, having gained the World Cup on 5 events, absolutely is aware of what must be completed in a summit conflict. The pitch would be the similar because the one used for the sport towards Pakistan on October 14. India gained that encounter, and a repeat on Sunday will revive the Diwali spirit throughout the nation.