World Cup Final: Australia Opt To Bowl As India Look To Avenge 2003 Final Loss; Both Teams Unchanged

Ahmedabad: In the lead-up to the Cricket World Cup final between India and Australia in Ahmedabad, India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, remains confident that the team will not succumb to the emotions and pressure of being hosts. With a flawless record of 10 victories in this tournament, India is the favorite to clinch their third World Cup title.

Rohit emphasized the team’s focus on maintaining composure amid external expectations, pressure, and criticism. He stressed the importance of sticking to their strengths and executing their game plan as a cohesive unit. The 130,000-capacity Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the largest cricket ground globally, sets the stage for this highly anticipated clash.

Reflecting on India’s previous World Cup successes, particularly the 2011 home win, Rohit acknowledged the emotional significance of the tournament. The captain highlighted the players’ commitment to concentrating on their roles for the team, rather than being overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment.

India’s coach, Rahul Dravid, who experienced the disappointment of the 2003 final defeat to Australia, plays a pivotal role in the team’s preparation. Rohit expressed the team’s desire to rectify past World Cup performances for Dravid, emphasizing his immense contributions to Indian cricket.

On the other side, Australian captain Pat Cummins acknowledged the challenge of facing a predominantly Indian crowd at Ahmedabad Stadium. Cummins encouraged his team to embrace the experience, emphasizing the satisfaction of silencing a partisan crowd. He expressed confidence in his team’s ability to handle the pressure, drawing on their familiarity with Indian conditions through the Indian Premier League.

Despite India’s unbeaten run in the tournament, Cummins sees the final as an opportunity for Australia to make an impact. The teams have a history of competitive encounters, with Australia winning 83 of the ODI meetings compared to India’s 57 victories. Cummins acknowledged India’s impressive form but remains optimistic about Australia’s chances to challenge them in the final.

Playing XIs

India: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

Australia: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis(w), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins(c), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood