Get ready for an epic saga at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final, where cricket's behemoths, India and Australia, lock horns in a battle for glory. Witness history as India, led by Virat Kohli's record-smashing heroics, meets Australia's phoenix-like rise. This isn't just a game; it's a blockbuster, unfolding in Ahmedabad's colossal arena, where every ball, run, and wicket will write a new chapter in cricket's legendary tales.
Venue Insights
Set to host the final, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, recognized as the world's largest cricketing venue, offers a unique and challenging pitch. Typically favouring batsmen, the surface at this iconic stadium provides an advantageous setting for high scoring. However, the initial phases of the match could prove challenging for the batsmen as the pitch is known to assist seam bowlers.
As the match progresses, spin bowlers might also find favourable conditions, adding an intriguing tactical element to the game. This blend of pitch characteristics at the Narendra Modi Stadium is expected to result in an enthralling and intense cricket match.
Form Guide: India
India, boasting an impressive streak of WWWWW in their last five completed ODIs, has been a dominant force in this World Cup. The team's commanding presence has been marked by several key narratives, most notably Virat Kohli's remarkable journey to 50 ODI hundreds. Their performance has been so dominant that they have outshone many other stories of the tournament.
In terms of numbers, India's dominance is clear: when batting first, their average winning margin is an astounding 175 runs, and while chasing, they typically secure victory with 64.4 balls remaining. This level of performance has only been rivalled by Australia's march to the 2007 World Cup final.
India's batting has been exceptional, with the team surpassing 350 runs in three out of five instances when batting first and scoring 326 for 5 in another instance. Their bowling has matched this prowess, twice bowling out the opposition for below 80 runs. Fielding has been another area where India has excelled, contributing significantly to their dominant performances.
Four out of their top five batsmen have scored hundreds during this campaign, with Shubman Gill also performing exceptionally, averaging 50 and striking at 108.02. The team has thrived in the electric atmosphere of their home crowds, with Kohli's leadership likened to conducting an orchestra, enhancing their performance and unity.
Form Guide: Australia
Australia's path to the final, reflected in its last five ODI results of WWWWW, has been a tale of resilience and resurgence. After a challenging start to the tournament, including a loss to India, they managed to secure a remarkable eight consecutive victories. Their journey has been marked by overcoming major challenges, such as recovering from being 91 for 7 against Afghanistan and weathering strong opposition in matches like the one against New Zealand in Dharamsala.
Despite not being favourites initially due to recent series losses to South Africa and India, Australia's campaign has seen them grow stronger. Key players like Mitchell Starc found form in crucial moments like the semi-final, though the team has faced some inconsistencies, such as Steven Smith not hitting top form and a lack of powerplay wickets.
Nevertheless, the team's experience in World Cup finals, including five members of the likely XI who were part of the 2015 World Cup final, adds to their confidence. Captain Pat Cummins has suggested the team is prepared to face the challenge of playing against a large crowd, embracing the unique pressures of such a situation.
Their battle-tested nature and recent experience in close matches underline their resilience and ability to stay composed under pressure.
Both India and Australia have shown remarkable strengths and resilience, setting the stage for what promises to be an epic final in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Players to Watch
Mohammed Shami, stepping in after Hardik Pandya's departure, has been a revelation for India in this tournament, playing six matches. He has emerged as the leading wicket-taker, claiming 23 wickets at an average of 9.13 and maintaining an economy rate of 5.01. His prowess is highlighted by his ability to consistently take multiple wickets in a game, achieving the feat of five wickets thrice and four wickets once.
While Jasprit Bumrah is often the first name considered for India's bowling lineup, Shami’s impact as a wicket-taker has been unparalleled. His aggressive bowling, targeting the stumps and confounding batters, has been a key factor in India's success. Shami's effectiveness extends to all pitch types, including the challenging low, and slow decks. With the final being played on a used Ahmedabad pitch, expectations are high for Shami to continue his wicket-taking spree.
Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, stands on the cusp of joining the elite group of World-Cup-winning captains, a list that includes only two fast bowlers - the legendary Imran Khan and Kapil Dev. Cummins' performance in this tournament has been noteworthy, though not solely for his bowling, where he averages 37 with an economy rate of 6.05. His batting contributions have been significant, particularly his resilient 68-ball stay against Afghanistan, which set the stage for Glenn Maxwell's innings, and his crucial 14 not out against South Africa, contributing to Australia's progression to the final.
Cummins' knack for taking key wickets at crucial moments, like the dismissal of centurion David Miller in the semi-final, has also been a highlight. However, his captaincy has drawn some criticism for its rigidity, particularly in decisions regarding the use of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc in crucial overs. Despite these critiques, Cummins has embodied the resilience and adaptability that have been hallmarks of Australia's campaign, especially after their early setbacks in the tournament.
Team Composition
As the final approaches, both India and Australia appear content with the composition of their teams that played in the semi-finals. There has been no significant indication from either side suggesting a need to alter their playing XIs. India has showcased a strong and consistent performance with their current lineup, solidifying their preferred set of eleven players. Their success in the semi-finals underlines the effectiveness of this team composition, and it seems likely that they will enter the final with the same squad.
Australia, on the other hand, faces a strategic choice. They are considering whether to include Marcus Stoinis in the lineup, potentially in place of Marnus Labuschagne. However, given the formidable quality of India's bowling and batting attack, the Australian team management might prefer to stick with Labuschagne, who has already proven his mettle in the semi-finals. His inclusion in the final would be a testament to his performance and the team's faith in his abilities to handle high-pressure situations against a strong opponent like India.
Pitch and Weather Report
The final match between India and Australia will be played on the same pitch that hosted the India-Pakistan encounter earlier in the World Cup. Despite this track being used previously, Australian captain Pat Cummins has expressed no concerns, indicating that the pitch may not necessarily lead to a low-scoring game. However, teams will need to consider the potential impact of dew, especially given the early winter conditions.
The drop in temperature post-sunset could result in a damp outfield and a soggy ball, though efforts are in place to mitigate this effect with the application of chemicals on the grass. Weather-wise, there is no rain expected, ensuring uninterrupted play. The day's temperature is anticipated to hover in the low 30 degrees Celsius range, making for warm playing conditions during the hottest parts of the day.
Team Line-ups
India (Likely): KL Rahul (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rohit Sharma (capt), Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav.
Australia (Likely): Josh Inglis (wk), Pat Cummins (capt), Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh.
Dream11 Prediction
Broadcast Details
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final featuring India vs Australia will be available for live streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. Fans who prefer television broadcasts can watch the live telecast on Star Sports Network TV channels in India. The much-anticipated ODI World Cup 2023 final match is scheduled to start at 2 PM IST. Additionally, the toss, setting the stage for this exciting clash, will take place at 1.30 PM IST.
Conclusion
Get ready for an epic finale that will go down in cricket history as India and Australia clash in the World Cup 2023 final. The grand Ahmedabad stadium will be the stage for not just cricket, but a magnificent theatre of dreams, strategy, and unyielding spirit. These legendary cricketing teams will showcase a spectacle of skill and determination that will create a story of victory and resilience, capturing hearts and reshaping the definition of heroes.
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