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In a heart-wrenching loss, millions of Indian cricket fans saw their team fall to Australia in the ODI World Cup 2023 final on Sunday. Australia clinched their sixth title with a six-wicket victory at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest.
A setback for Team India after ten consecutive wins
Australia’s path to the final included defeating South Africa, while India secured their spot by triumphing over New Zealand.
The massive crowd, draped in blue jerseys, at the 1,30,000-capacity stadium and countless viewers at home hoped for a repeat of India’s 2011 glory. However, Australia’s decision to bowl first paid off as their pacers bowled out India for 240 runs, the first instance of the Men in Blue losing all 10 wickets in the tournament. Despite a spirited bowling effort, led by Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, India couldn’t thwart Australia’s determined batting partnership, resulting in a heart-breaking defeat.
Shane Watson highlights the only mistake made by Rohit Sharma’s team in the CWC 2023 final
Speaking to Star Sports India, the official broadcasters of the CWC 2023, former World Cup winner for Australia, Shane Watson, opined that giving the new ball to Shami instead of Siraj was not the right decision made by India captain Rohit Sharma.
Also READ: Tom Moody shares his perspective on India’s tactic of using Mohammed Shami with the new ball in CWC 2023 final
Shami, who had been operating as a one-change bowler until the final, found himself alongside Bumrah in the summit clash as per the captain’s decision. Despite his usual proficiency, Shami struggled to contain the swing, conceding 47 runs in 7 overs with an economy rate of 6.70 as Australia successfully chased down the target of 241 runs with 42 balls to spare.
“I don’t understand why Mohammed Siraj, who has done well with the new ball, didn’t start the proceedings. This is the only area where they made a mistake. Shami was all over the place,” mentioned Watson after the grand finale in Ahmedabad.
Earlier, at the start of the second innings, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting had said that by not giving the new ball to Siraj India took him out of the match.
“If you don’t use Siraj with the new ball, you take him out of the game. Ridiculous he didn’t bowl with the new ball today. Didn’t bowl 2023 new ball specialist,” stated Ponting while commentating during the CWC 2023 final.
