Cricket World Cup 2023: Australia stun hosts India to lift trophy

Image credit: ICC/X

Australia disappointed a billion hearts as they beat hosts India in the Cricket World Cup 2023 finals on Sunday. Despite India having an undefeated run in the tournament, Australia had a decisive victory, as they chased down 240 runs with six wickets to spare.

The Pat Cummins-led Australian side cruised to a win, with seven overs remaining, despite losing three early wickets in their run chase.

The match was played in the world’s largest stadium in the Indian state of Gujarat. The packed Narendra Modi Stadium was a sea of blue as over 100,000 Indian fans turned up to support the home team.

Australia last won the title at home in 2015. They now have six titles which widens the gap between them and other title-winning countries, including India, who have two, along with the West Indies. India last won the World Cup in 2011. Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England have each won the title once.

How the Australia squad stepped up ?

Revisit every game of Australia’s triumphant #CWC23 campaign?⬇️https://t.co/4yU3X7hQCO

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) November 19, 2023

Cricket World Cup 2023 finals saw Aussies rise to the occasion

On Sunday, Australia won the toss and put India in to bat. The Australian pacers with their attacking line, bowled India out for just 240 runs. It was the first time in this tournament that the Indian side lost all 10 wickets.

India put up a brave fight in their bowling attack, with Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah getting rid of three of Australia’s top batters in the first seven overs.

As Indian skipper Rohit Sharma said, “we tried everything”, but the Australia side put up a stubborn batting partnership and defeated the favourites, to bring home the world cup.

An electric opening spell ⚡️

Jasprit Bumrah ? Mohammed Shami#CWC23 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/yEYvuAiGJ1

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) November 19, 2023

Australian Travis Head’s masterful 137 from 120 balls was pivotal to his side, as he became only the third Australian man after Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting to score a century in a World Cup final.

Travis Head was Player of the Match in the #WTCFinal and the #CWC23 semi-final ⭐

And he starred once more in the Cricket World Cup final ?⬇️#INDvAUShttps://t.co/6I8rtxt4XX

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) November 19, 2023

Australia captain Cummins said his team saved their best for last, as “a couple of big-match players stood up”.

He heaped praise on Labuschagne and Head, saying they “showed some character” to lead the chase on the biggest stage.

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