Last Update on: November 20th, 2023 at 12:04 pm
India again succumbed to the pressure of big matches as Australia went past the hosts in the finals beating them by six wickets. Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar weighed in on the finals. Shoaib Akhtar, speaking on his YouTube channel after the match, said India reached the final by decimating all the other teams. However, they couldn’t turn up in the final as Australia chased down India’s 241-run target to extend their record by winning their sixth ODI World Cup title.
India defeated Australia in their first match of the tournament but the Aussies got their revenge in the summit clash. Travis Head was the star for Australia as he scored 137 off 120 deliveries to coast Australia home. He alongside Marnus Labuschagne stitched a 192-run partnership for the fourth wicket and did the job for his nation.
“India played the final, it’s not an easy job. They reached the final by decimating all the other teams. Unfortunately, they couldn’t replicate their performances in the final. They’ve reached close to winning the trophy on many occasions in the last 12 years but couldn’t win it,” said Akhtar.
Shoaib Akhtar Blames The Luck Factor For India’s Defeat
Akhtar went on to say that luck hasn’t gone in India’s favour. He insisted that the Men In Blue had a timid approach. Travis Head guided Australia to a commanding win by scoring a magnificent century in the ODI World Cup final.
“India has the best batting with Kohli scoring the most runs, Shami picked the most wickets. But unfortunately, luck hasn’t been in their favour. But Australia just knows how to hold their nerve in big matches. I thought Australia’s approach was good and India’s approach was a bit timid,” Akhtar added.
India entered their fourth ODI World Cup final in the hopes of avenging the defeat suffered in 2003. However, the Aussies again overpowered the Men In Blue to win their sixth World Cup title. Australia is the only team to face defeat India in the World Cup finals.
India entered the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final on the back of a 10-match winning streak while Australia coasted to the finals after losing the first two matches of the tournament against India and South Africa respectively. However, they defeated these two teams in the semi-final and final. This shows that Australia has a knack for peaking at the right moment in ICC tournaments.
