Last Update on: November 19th, 2023 at 02:06 pm
Australia is ready to face an undefeated India aiming to bag a record-extending sixth World Cup title at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final, in Ahmedabad. The Narendra Modi Stadium is expected to be jam-packed as 130,000 are ready for the ultimate showdown.
For Australia, it will be a massive challenge, considering India’s unbeaten run in this World Cup and their advantage as hosts. Australia also can not be written off, as they have already proved their strength during the league stage. The Aussies began their campaign on a sloppy note, losing to India and South Africa in their first two matches. However, after that, they haven’t looked back and it has been a tale of grit, determination, resurgence, and Adam Zampa’s wizardry.
The spinner has been a key asset for Pat Cummins as Australia stitched an eight-match unbeaten streak after their opening two losses. Australia finished in third place and qualified for the semi-finals. In the semis, Australia defeated South Africa by three wickets at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Speaking on Sky Sports Cricket, former England skipper, Eoin Morgan had some special advice for Australian skipper Pat Cummins ahead of the summit clash.
Eoin Morgan Has Special Advice For Australia Skipper Pat Cummins
The 2019 World Cup-winning captain pointed out that Josh Hazlewood has troubled Virat Kohli, who is currently the highest run-scorer in this World Cup with 711 runs to his name. Morgan also feels that if Australia manages to ‘knock over’ Indian skipper Rohit Sharma early on, then it could have a huge impact on the match. Rohit Sharma has given a flying start to the Indian innings almost every time he has stepped onto the field.
“The accuracy that the likes of Josh Hazlewood bring to any attack and his record against Virat Kohli is excellent. So either him or Mitchell Starc who has swung the ball more than anybody in this tournament so far and can take early wickets. They really work well and can put India on their back foot, particularly if they knock over their captain Rohit Sharma, who in this tournament has struck at 126 and his career strike rate in India is just over 100.”
“So if they can see him off early and make inroads for the likes of Zampa to come in the middle period and possibly Maxwell, others like Travis Head who was the Man of the Match in the semifinal. They are just a side who seem to adapt and find a way. This is very characteristic of Australian cricketing culture, they just find a way to compete across all formats,” he said.
Eoin Morgan Feels Pat Cummins Can Join The List Of World Cup-Winning Captains
Eoin Morgan talked about how Pat Cummins has led the Australian side. He has a golden opportunity to join the elite list of World Cup-winning captains like Allan Donald, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke. Morgan says that landing the first blow is going to be important for Australia no matter if Australia is batting first or bowling.
“Since Pat Cummins has taken over, they have only gone from strength to strength. They retained the Ashes and tomorrow presents a big opportunity for him to walk in the footsteps of Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting, and Allan Border, big names of Australian cricket.”
Huge opportunity, but landing that first blow will be unbelievably important. Whether it’s with ball in hand, Starc, Hazlewood or bat. Travis Head and David Warner certainly know how to set the tone. Given the threat that Bumrah, Siraj, and Shami have posed to every other team in this tournament if a side can get ahead early, it really does calm a changing room and set the rest of the day up,” he further added.
India and Australia are facing each other for the second time in the ODI World Cup finals. They clashed at the 2003 World Cup final when Ricky Ponting-led Australia demolished India by a 125-run margin. India will be looking to avenge the defeat suffered in 2003 and clinch their third World Cup title.
However, Australia is a team that knows how to perform on the big stage. The Aussies will be looking to extend their record and win the World Cup title for a sixth time. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is ready to witness the much-awaited final between the two cricketing giants.
