India was the red-hot favorite to win the 2023 World Cup after ten successive victories, but they lost in a one-sided final thanks mainly to outstanding innings from Travis Head. The Australian all-rounder produced a masterclass to crush an invincible Indian bowling attack and seal Australia’s sixth ODI World Cup. It was a crushing blow for the hosts, who were left to rue a missed opportunity in front of their home fans.
Australia’s victory crowned them the new kings of the ODI format and capped off a remarkable year in which they won the Ashes, beat India in the World Test Championship final, and clinched the T20 World Cup with an aggressive display against England. But this is the one that will linger longest in the memory. It’s the moment that puts the Australian side at the very top of the sport, and it is a moment to be celebrated by everyone who braved a night without sleep to watch every match.
The Australians won a record six-wicket against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This emphatic result confirmed the Aussies as the best side in the world. It is a record-extending sixth title for the men in green and white, written off by many after a poor start to their campaign.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. A fast start courtesy of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood set the tone, with the openers sharing a 109-run stand before Jadeja bowled the latter. Head stayed in the middle for much of the innings, batting at No. 7, and he was rewarded for his faith with a magnificent hundred. He slammed four sixes and 15 fours in a brilliant 192-run unbeaten partnership with Marnus Labuschagne, who also made a fine fifty.
In the second Powerplay, Glenn Maxwell dismissed Ravindra Jadeja to get Australia back on track, and, in the third over of the game, he got rid of Rohit Sharma with a stunning catch at long-on to put the Aussies in total control. The Australians then moved to 224-3 in the 40th over, and Head was finally caught trying to slog-sweep a ball from Kuldeep Yadav for another six.
India last hosted a World Cup in Mumbai in 2011, when they won the tournament at a canter. But they were a shadow of their best self this time and, despite putting in some impressive performances, were ultimately blown away by the stronger Australian team.
Australia’s triumph in the World Cup final will be remembered for a long time, and their players are rightly mobbed by their team-mates as they celebrate a record-extending sixth title. It is a hugely memorable triumph for a country struggling to revive its cricketing glory days for so long. But now, as the final chord is struck, it is time to raise a glass of champagne and toast an exceptional team.