The most prestigious cricketing tournament has finally reached its zenith. The grand finale of ICC World Cup 2023 is set to unfold on November 17, 2023, at the majestic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India and Australia stand at the forefront, ready to script the final chapter of this monumental tournament.
One team shall emerge as the champion, enjoying the glory, while the other confronts the sorrowful sting of heartbreak. India has been impeccable throughout the tournament, winning all of their matches. Simultaneously, Australia has also had an impressive campaign, triumphing over 8 different opponents consecutively.
Their history in the World Cup arena consists of intense rivalries and shifting tides. Out of 13 encounters, Australia has been victorious on 8 occasions, but India has secured victory in three of the last four meetings. Both these teams also met in the 2003 World Cup Final, where Australia won and Destiny rewrites that tale again two decades later.
Team Preview
India
The hosts stand as the epitome of dominance in this tournament. Their unbeaten run through the group stage laid the foundation for a compelling campaign, and in the semi-final clash against New Zealand, they comfortably managed to win with a margin of 70 runs.
While batting first, all top 5 batters fired, with Kohli and Iyer crafting centuries, leading India to a monumental total of 397. The bowling contingent, led by Shami’s exceptional performance, took charge, dismissing the Kiwis for 327 and securing the victory.
The entire squad is in exceptional form, with each player boasting commendable numbers throughout the tournament. As they stand on the brink of the final, India is driven by the desire to conclude this fairy tale journey with a prestigious World Cup victory. The hunger to end a decade-long ICC trophy drought adds an extra layer of motivation.
Australia
Australia’s journey in the ICC World Cup has been nothing short of a remarkable turnaround. Overcoming initial setbacks with two defeats, they instrumented a powerful comeback, claiming victories in their next eight encounters.
The pinnacle of their revival came in a nail-biting semifinal clash against South Africa, where their bowlers shone, restricting the Proteas to 212. The openers provided an explosive start in the chase, and despite a close contest, the tailenders held firm, securing a crucial three-wicket win.
Now, with their sights set on a sixth World Cup title, Australia aims to reaffirm their status as the perennial rulers of ICC tournaments across generations. The prospect of this victory would set them apart by miles in this format. However, the path to glory is no cakewalk, with the Indian team standing in their way, intensifying the challenge.
Probable Playing XI
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
Australia: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Pitch Report
The Ahmedabad pitch proves to be a versatile canvas, offering a balanced wicket for both seamers and spinners to exploit. Batters, too, find opportunities to amass runs if they exhibit patience and resilience in the middle and build partnerships.
The average first innings score since 2022 stands at 240, indicating a competitive environment where every run holds significance. Winning the toss becomes a crucial factor as both the captains would like to bat first. None of them would want the pressure of chasing in a high-stakes final.
Pitch Stats since 2022:
- Total Matches Played – 7
- Matches Won Batting First – 3
- Matches Won Batting Second – 4
- Average First Innings Score – 240
- Average Runs Per Over – 5.00
Players To Watch Out For
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma’s journey to this World Cup final is the prime example of his evolution as a cricketer. From being left out of the World Cup squad 12 years ago to now leading the Indian team in the pinnacle clash, Rohit stands on the brink of realizing his dream.
Throughout this edition, he has been a force to be reckoned with, providing explosive starts with the bat, showcasing brilliant captaincy, and fearlessly taking on bowlers. With 550 runs in 10 innings at a striking rate of 124, Rohit’s impact has been pivotal in India’s campaign.
His impressive record against Australia, having scored 2232 runs in 44 innings at a strike rate of 96 in ODIs, adds another layer of confidence. As the Indian skipper, his role in providing a powerful start and putting the Australians under pressure will be crucial in determining the course of this historic final.
Virat Kohli
The only player in this Indian team with prior World Cup final experience, Virat Kohli shoulders a role of paramount importance. As the linchpin of the Indian lineup, Kohli has not only had an exceptional World Cup run but has also left a trail of shattered records in his wake.
His tally of 711 runs at an astonishing average of 101.6 and a strike rate of 90 underscores his monumental impact. Breaking the World Cup Knockouts jinx in the semis with a brilliant century against New Zealand, Kohli now takes on one of his favourite opponents, The Aussies.
Having dominated them across formats over the years, Kohli’s mission is clear – to lead India to their third World Cup title. As a player with experience of the big stage, his contribution will be pivotal in shaping the destiny of the team in this historic final.
Steve Smith
Despite a challenging run in the current World Cup edition, Steve Smith’s innate skill and talent are undeniable. His track record in World Cup knockouts, with four 50+ scores in five games, solidifies his reputation as Australia’s clutch player in this format.
Smith’s record against India in ODIs is formidable, amassing 1306 runs in 24 innings at a strike rate of 101. His match-winning century in the 2015 semi-final adds to his ability to rise to the occasion against the Indian bowling attack.
In this crucial final, facing the lethal bowling lineup of India, Smith’s responsibility is paramount. As a player with a knack for performing in high-pressure situations, he will be instrumental in guiding Australia and steering them toward their sixth World Cup title. The stage is set for Smith to once again showcase his ability.
Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc, with a staggering tally of 62 wickets at an average of 19.3, stands as one of the greatest World Cup bowlers in cricket history. In the realm of the World Cup arena, Starc is Australia’s linchpin, a player of immense importance.
Having clinched the prestigious Player of the Tournament title in 2015, Starc played a pivotal role in Australia’s World Cup victory. While his current World Cup run may not be extraordinary, his influence was felt in the semifinals, where he provided initial breakthroughs for Australia.
In the grand finale against India, Starc shoulders the responsibility of once again spearheading the Australian bowling attack. His task will be to disrupt India’s top order, providing those vital initial breakthroughs that can create pressure and tilt the balance in favour of Australia on this monumental stage.
IND vs AUS Dream11 Team for Final of 2023 WC
Note: This is not our final Dream11 Team as we are not aware of the Toss Result/Final Playing XI of both teams at this moment.
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