India will take on Australia in the Men’s World Cup ODI 2023 Final at Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, 19th November. Both teams have had great campaigns in the tournament thus far. The Men in Blue have qualified for the final by defeating New Zealand by 70 runs, maintaining a 10-match winning streak in this World Cup campaign. Australia booked their berth in the Final with a 3-wicket win over South Africa. They’ve had a remarkable comeback, winning 8 matches on the trot following two initial defeats in the tournament.
India and Australia will face off against each other for the second time in the ongoing edition of the Men’s World Cup ODI. They met in the league stage of the tournament, where the hosts defeated the 5-time champion by six wickets. This title clash will be a repeat of the 2003 Men’s World Cup ODI Final, where the Men in Blue suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Australia. The much-awaited Final is expected to provide thrill and excitement for fans as India and Australia look to regain their Glory.
Players To Watch Out For
V Kohli (IND): V Kohli is in sensational form in the ongoing edition of the Men’s World Cup ODI. In the semifinal against New Zealand, the 35-year-old played an incredible innings of 117 off 113 balls at a strike rate of 103.54 to help his team post a solid total of 397/4 on the board. With this, Kohli shattered S Tendulkar’s record of 673 runs in a single edition of the Men’s World Cup ODI. Also, he became the first player to record 50 ODI centuries. Kohli is currently the leading run-scorer of the tournament, amassing 711 runs, including three centuries and three fifties, at an average of 101.57 in 10 matches. V Kohli has maintained his good form throughout the tournament thus far, which has been a big positive for team management. Once he gets into his rhythm, he is unstoppable. Kohli will come up with goods again in the final against Australia.
D Warner (AUS): D Warner’s form has had a significant impact on Australia’s top order in this Men’s World Cup ODI. In the semifinal against South Africa, The 37-year-old provided a good start for the team in a 213-run chase, scoring 29 off 18 balls at a strike rate of 161.11. In this tournament, Warner has aggregated 528 runs, including two centuries and two fifties, at an average of 52.80 in 10 matches. Warner has already impressed all with his performances in the tournament so far. The former Australia captain can provide a good start and anchor the innings at the top. The moment he gets into his groove and starts smashing, it is difficult to stop him. Warner’s form will pose a big challenge to India’s bowling line-up in the title clash.
S Iyer (IND): S Iyer has hit the form at the right time in this Men’s World Cup ODI. In the semifinal against New Zealand, the 28-year-old played a brilliant knock of 105 off 70 balls at a strike rate of 150, consisting of four fours and eight sixes. This was his second consecutive century in the tournament, preceding 128 off 94 balls against the Netherlands. Iyer is currently the third-leading run-getter for India in the tournament, amassing 526 runs, including two centuries and three fifties, at an average of 75.14 and a strike rate of 113.11 in 10 matches. S Iyer is one of the reliable batsmen in the middle order alongside KL Rahul in this tournament. In the last couple of matches, Iyer has performed when it mattered the most. Thus, S Iyer is one of the crucial players for India in the final against Australia.
M Starc (AUS): M Starc has had moderate outings with the ball in the ongoing edition of the Men’s World Cup. However, the 33-year-old found his rhythm in the semifinal against South Africa, scalping three wickets while conceding just 34 runs at an economy rate of 3.4 in his quota of 10 overs. In this tournament, Starc has scalped 13 wickets at an average of 36.38 and an economy rate of 6.14 in nine matches. Starc has one of the most reliable pacers for Australia in this World Cup. M Starc has a good pace and his ability to reverse swing the ball can often trouble the best batsmen in the world. Starc can pose a serious threat to India’s batting line-up in the Final.
M Shami (IND): M Shami has emerged as the most lethal bowler in this Men’s World Cup ODI. In the semifinal against New Zealand, the 32-year-old ran into the opposition’s batting and scalped seven wickets while conceding 57 runs. He became the third bowler to take a seven-wicket haul in a World Cup match. Despite being benched for the initial games of India’s campaign, Shami is currently the leading wicket-taker of the tournament, with 23 wickets, including five fifers and a four-wicket haul, at an average of 9.13 and an economy rate of 5.01 in just six games. Shami’s performances in the tournament have strengthened India’s pace bowling attack, making it more formidable compared to other teams. Given his form, M Shami is expected to pose a tough challenge to Australia’s batting line-up in the final.
Predicted Playing XI
IND: S Gill, R Sharma (C), V Kohli, S Iyer, KL Rahul, SK Yadav/I Kishan, R Jadeja, K Yadav, M Shami, J Bumrah, M Siraj,
AUS: D Warner, T Head, M Marsh, S Smith, M Labuschagne, G Maxwell, J Inglis, M Starc, P Cummins, A Zampa, J Hazlewood,
Fantasy Playing XI Picks
Wicketkeeper: KL Rahul
Batsmen: S Gill, D Warner, V Kohli, M Marsh, S Iyer,
All-rounder: R Jadeja
Bowlers: K Yadav, J Bumrah, M Starc, P Cummins
Prediction
The Final is going to be unpredictable as India and Australia will put on a good fight to reclaim the Men’s World Cup ODI trophy. The Men in Blue are easily favourites to win the trophy as they’ve been the most dominating team in the tournament and also the hosts. The side looks balanced, with batsmen and bowlers contributing significantly to the success of the team. Team India will be backed by a large crowd in Ahmedabad. Though India are favourites to win the Final, they will face an uphill task of defeating Australia.
