It is the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, and hosts India are up against five-time champions Australia.
The Indians have been on a dream run and defeated New Zealand in the 1st semifinal in a high scoring contest.
The Australians held their nerves and edged out South Africa in a thrilling contest in the 2nd semifinal. The two sides have been the best teams in the tournament, coming with ten and eight consecutive wins. Both teams will look to fight it out in the middle.
VENUE FOR THE FINAL BETWEEN INDIA & AUSTRALIA
The match at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, with its flat surface and fast outfield, favors batsmen who can rotate the strike and build their innings. However, it also offers advantages to spinners with its turning and stopping behavior.
Average 1st Inns scores: 235
Average 2nd Inns scores: 203
TEAM PREVIEW
INDIA
The Indians haven’t put a foot wrong in the tournament, winning all their games en route to the final. Their top order has dominated in all the matches, and the bowling attack has troubled all opponents. The Australians bring out the best on the big stage and have players who can take on the Indians man-to-man. The stakes are high, and so will be the pressure. The side that holds its nerves will win this game.
Rohit Sharma’s side has stormed into the final of the tournament. They batted out New Zealand in the semifinal, posting 397 on the board batting first. While the New Zealand middle order gave them a scare, they had enough on the board for the massive 70-run win. Having won 10 games in a row, Sharma and his men would look to carry on with the momentum. It won’t be easy against the Aussies with a 5-2 record in the World Cup finals. Sharma and his men would look to use the home advantage and win their third title.
Rohit Sharma has provided terrific starts to the team and will look to do the same in the company of Shubman Gill in the biggest game of his life. Virat Kohli has been in excellent form with 711 runs, and he will look to deliver his best in the middle order with Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, who have also been among the runs in the last two games. Suryakumar Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja add firepower to this batting line-up, and they will look to take on the Aussie bowlers.
The Indian bowlers felt the pressure in the last game. The lack of bowling depth is a worry for the side. They would like to see early wickets from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj to put the Aussies under pressure. Mohammad Shami has had a dream tournament with three fifers and would like to use this rhythm best. Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja shall look to exploit the conditions in Ahmedabad and trouble the batters with their variations.
EXPECTED XI OF INDIA v AUSTRALIA
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
AUSTRALIA
Pat Cummins will feel confident after the thrilling 3-wicket win against South Africa in the semifinal in Kolkata. His side was put under the mat for some time with a spirited bowling performance by the South Africans, but the Aussies played like Aussies, holding their nerves and making it to the final for the eighth time. They defeated India in 2003 final, and Cummins and his players would look to do the same at Ahmedabad.
David Warner has made 528 runs in the tournament and will look to do well at the top with last game’s star, Travis Head. Mitchell Marsh is in good form and must do well in the middle order with Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. Josh Inglis played a vital knock in the semifinal, and he will look to add runs in the lower middle order with Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins.
The Australian bowling attack has hit form at the right time. A splendid show from them against the South Africans brought them to the final. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood hit good lines in the previous game, and they must do the same against India’s strong batting. Adam Zampa has claimed 22 wickets already and will look to do well in the middle overs with Cummins. Maxwell and Travis Head add strength to this bowling attack.
EXPECTED XI OF AUSTRALIA v INDIA
Travis Head, David Warner, Steven Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
PREDICTION FOR THE MATCH
The Indians have been on a roll and have performed well in both departments. Their top order is tearing up opposition attacks, and playing at home, they start favorites in this game.
Also Read: IND vs NZ: The Dream Is Alive,India March On To The Final Of CWC 23