The Aussies bowled out India for a below-par 240 on a tricky pitch and then chased it down in 43 overs for a six-wicket win to bag a record sixth 50-over world title.
“The result hasn’t gone our way and we know that we were not good enough on the day. But I am proud of the team. Honestly, 20-30 runs (more) would’ve been good. We didn’t bat well enough,” said Rohit in the post-match presentation.
India’s defeat comes as a surprise for many, as the Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team had a stellar run through the tournament, not bowing down to anyone in the group stages with fiery bowling and batting display. However, when it mattered the most, the Indian cricket team lost to mighty Australians by six wickets.
India is engulfed in sorrow. Nonetheless, no one can take away the overwhelming wave of joy and pride of the performance of the Men in Blue in the run to clinch the coveted title. Be it Shami’s heroics, Rohit Sharma’s fearless opening, Virat Kohli’s centuries, Shreyas’ support and Kuldeep’s spin twist, the men have made everyone proud.
Shami-final to Kohli-fy
The semifinal against New Zealand witnessed a grand spectacle as Md Shami, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s powerhouse innings laid the foundation for India’s colossal total of 397 for four.
As New Zealand valiantly fought back with Daryl Mitchell’s courageous 134 off 119 balls, the Indian camp experienced moments of anxiety. The equation tightened, with 112 needed from 54 balls and six wickets in hand. However, Kuldeep Yadav’s nerve-wracking two-run over in the 42nd over alleviated the pressure, tipping the scales back in India’s favor.
Pacer Mohammed Shami, who had dismantled the top four Kiwi batters earlier in the match, sealed the fate of the Kiwis with a stellar seven-wicket haul, displaying his class on the grand stage. Despite allegations that India sought an advantage with a spin-friendly track, Shami’s fast bowling prowess proved pivotal in dismantling the New Zealand batting lineup.
Kohli, the maestro on the big stage, etched his name in history with a remarkable 50th ODI century, steering India to an unprecedented 10th consecutive win in the World Cup and securing a coveted spot in the title clash.
Breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record
Virat Kohli, the undoubted maestro of ODI batting, reached new heights as he played a pivotal role in India’s dominating performance, securing his third century of the World Cup. Kohli’s exceptional innings of 117 off 113 balls, adorned with nine fours and two sixes, not only established him as the centerpiece of India’s dominance but also propelled him to the highest run scorer in a single edition of the World Cup, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 623 runs in 2003.
In a moment of surreal achievement, Kohli received congratulations from Tendulkar himself, making it a dream-like experience for the modern-day great. “The great man just congratulated me. It feels like a dream. Too good to be true. Big game for us, and I played the role so that the guys around me can come and express themselves,” Kohli remarked, showcasing his humility and team-first approach.
Kohli’s extraordinary feat unfolded not only in the presence of Tendulkar but also in the company of cricketing legends Sunil Gavaskar and Viv Richards, along with football icon David Beckham
India’s unstoppable journey to WC final
In a phenomenal display of cricket prowess, two-time champions India stormed into the World Cup title clash after an extraordinary winning streak of ten consecutive games.
Here’s a closer look at India’s tremendous journey into the 2023 Men’s World Cup final:
Match 1, October 8: India vs Australia in Chennai: India kickstarted their campaign with a bang, overcoming early jitters to secure a memorable six-wicket victory over Australia. A stunning 165-run partnership between KL Rahul and Virat Kohli set the tone for India’s triumphant journey.
Match 2, October 11: India vs Afghanistan in New Delhi: Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery spell and Captain Rohit Sharma’s blistering 131 made a challenging chase of 273 look like a cakewalk, as India sailed to an eight-wicket win against Afghanistan.
Match 3, October 14: India vs Pakistan in Ahmedabad: In a high-octane clash, India’s bowlers, led by Bumrah, orchestrated a stunning collapse, allowing the team to clinch a seven-wicket victory against arch-rivals Pakistan.
Match 4, October 19: India vs Bangladesh in Pune: Despite a brief setback with Hardik Pandya’s injury, India, led by Rohit and Virat Kohli, chased down 256 with ease, securing a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh.
Match 5, October 22: India vs New Zealand in Dharamsala: Mohammed Shami’s brilliant 5-54 and Kohli’s sublime 95 guided India to a four-wicket victory over New Zealand, propelling them to the top of the points table.
Match 6, October 29: India vs England in Lucknow: Rohit’s 87 and a stellar bowling performance, led by Shami and Bumrah, resulted in a convincing 100-run victory over England, reaffirming India’s dominance.
Match 7, November 2: India vs Sri Lanka in Mumbai: A formidable total of 357/8, coupled with a remarkable bowling display by Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj, led India to a colossal 302-run victory over Sri Lanka.
Match 8, November 5: India vs South Africa in Kolkata: On his 35th birthday, Kohli’s century and Jadeja’s 5-33 paved the way for a comprehensive 243-run victory over South Africa.
Match 9, November 12: India vs Netherlands in Bengaluru: A batting spectacle with 410/4 on the board and a collective bowling effort, including Siraj, Bumrah, Kuldeep, and Jadeja, resulted in a 160-run triumph over The Netherlands.
Semi-final, November 15: India vs New Zealand in Mumbai: Kohli’s historic century, combined with Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer’s contributions, propelled India to a formidable total of 397/4. Mohammed Shami’s stellar 7-57 secured a 70-run victory.
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