ICC World Cup 2023Sports

World Cup Final Analysis: How India lost the game to Aussies

Australia World Cup 2023

Australia lifted their record-extending sixth ODI World Cup trophy at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. The southpaw Travis Head ended India’s hopes of crowning glory with an incredible knock of 137 runs in a difficult chase.

Lost to ConditionsĀ 

The wicket was slow, which was anticipated as it got rolled out, and the average score was 243 at the venue. The losing toss may not be a bad thing for India as, historically, statistics prove chasing against Aussies is a terrible option. Albeit, Aussies knew the pitch would be slow and later the dew factor would come, they apprehended the wicket and had some bounce and carry. However, India expected the pitch to keep getting slower and offer more turn, which happened in the Kolkata semi-final. They hoped they could capitalise on the brittleness of Australia’s chasing.


Also Read: Cricket World Cup 2023: From Pitches To Politics, Controversies Swing Both Ways

Playing Eleven

The habit of the Indian team is sustaining the winning combination if the team wins. But great teams select teams based on the conditions of the wicket and the strategy to counter the opposition. Rohit could have included a Right arm spinner in the place of left-arm spinner Kuldeep, or he could have replaced Siraj or Suryakumar Yadav. Ashwin was very successful against left-handers. He could have contained southpaw Warner and Head. Moreover, he also has a good record against Smith and Labuschagne.Ā 

Kangaroos Tactics

After winning the toss, when Cummins asked India to bat, there was quite a disbelief. But Aussie bowlers were confident of bowling some immaculate length against a resolute batting lineup in their home conditions, which is applaudable.Ā Australia knows India has only five bowlers and they can target any one of them. Aussies targeted Kuldeep Yadav, who conceded 56 runs in 10 overs in a low-scoring game.Ā The ‘pack mentality’ of Kangaroos proved once again last night that with that tenacity, dedication and self-belief amongst the team, you can pull anything off.

Middle Orders Collapse and DragĀ 

The middle order collapsed when the in-form batsman Shreyas Iyer nicked a Pat Cummins off-stump line ball. This unveiled the floodgates that derailed Ravindra Jadeja and Surya Kumar Yadav. However, Rahul survived the menace but struggled to maintain a decent strike rate after facing 107 balls that dragged the scoring rate.Ā The star-studded team was able to score only 13 boundaries and just four boundaries in overs 11-50, the lowest for them since they hit just seven against Sri Lanka in Sharjah in 2000. India miserably failed to forge a partnership where only four batsmen crossed double digits, exposing the batting failure.

Poor Captaincy

Rohit Sharma allowed easy runs, and there was no intensity in the field. The field placement and rotation of bowlers don’t make any sense or impact. The leadership and temperament were not up to the mark when the team defended a low total. Rohit’s approach lacked aggression and strategic thinking when the match was slipping away.Ā 

Excellent Bowling and Stellar FieldingĀ 

The left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc was absolutely stunning. He dismissed Gill, Rahul and Shami. Captain Pat Cummins broke the backbone of the Indian middle order by taking the wickets of Shreyas and Kohli. And Hazlewood rubbed salt by taking Jadeja and Suryakumar cheaply. The pace battery silenced the crowd in intervals. Cummins’s field placement was spot on with clever positioning of his players as a ploy. Australia’s fieldingĀ was electrifying, extraordinary and athletic with intensity and attitude on the field, saving a lot of runs.Ā 

Ridiculous Shot Selection

Captain Rohit Sharma seemed in good touch. After scoring a six and four, the next ball, he rushed for another six, which cost his wicket. The debutant World Cup players Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer appeared jittery. Gill fell for a miscued pull and Iyer’s inning finished with a delivery that hissed near the off-stump. The high-volt pressure game seemed palpable for the young boys. Surya kumar Yadav’s lethargic shot after staying ample time at the crease is a ruckus.

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