New Delhi: The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is heading towards a thrilling climax, as India and Australia will face each other in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 19th November. Both the teams have shown their dominance and resilience throughout the tournament, and are ready to battle for the coveted trophy.
India, led by Rohit Sharma, has been unbeaten in the tournament so far, winning 10 consecutive matches. The team has displayed a balanced performance in all departments, with the likes of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav shining with the bat and the ball. India defeated New Zealand by 7 wickets in the first semi-final, chasing down a modest target of 211 with ease.
Australia, on the other hand, has bounced back from a shaky start, losing the first two matches against India and England. The team, captained by Pat Cummins, has won eight matches in a row, showing their fighting spirit and experience. Australia has a formidable batting line-up, with David Warner, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis among the top scorers. The bowling attack, led by Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Adam Zampa, has also been impressive. Australia beat South Africa by 4 wickets in a nail-biting second semi-final, chasing down 287 with two balls to spare.
The final will be a clash of titans, as both India and Australia have a rich history and rivalry in the World Cup. Australia has won the World Cup title five times, the most by any team, while India has won it twice. Australia has also reached the final eight times, the most by any team, while India has reached it three times. Australia has beaten India in two finals, in 2003 and 2017, and one semi-final, in 2015. India has beaten Australia in one quarter-final, in 2011.
The final will also feature some exciting sub-plots, such as the battle between the top two run-scorers of the tournament, Rohit Sharma and David Warner, the duel between the leading wicket-takers of the tournament, Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Starc, and the rematch between Rohit Sharma and Pat Cummins, who faced each other in the final of the World Test Championship earlier this year, where Australia emerged victorious.
The final will also have some special attractions for the fans, such as an air show by the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team of the Indian Air Force, which will perform acrobatics in the sky of Ahmedabad 10 minutes before the start of the match. Prime Minister Narendra Modi may also attend the final as the chief guest, along with singers Dua Lipa, Pritam Chakraborty, and Aditya Gadhvi, who will perform during the event. Family members of Indian players, former Indian greats Sachin Tendulkar and Hardik Pandya may also reach Ahmedabad to cheer for the team.
The final is expected to be a high-octane and high-stakes affair, as both India and Australia will leave no stone unturned to lift the World Cup trophy. The fans are eagerly waiting for the match, which will be a spectacle of cricketing excellence and entertainment.
