Ahead of the much-anticipated ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 final, former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir has expressed his views on India's team composition. India is set to clash with Australia in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, November 19.
Gambhir, in his interaction with Sportskeeda, opined that spinner Ravichandran Ashwin may not find a place in the Indian starting lineup for the final. He emphasised the importance of maintaining the team combination that has brought success to India throughout the tournament.
"I don't think so (on Ashwin playing the final). I don't see a place for him and why would you even tinker with what is working for you. What better performance can you expect from your five bowlers," said Gambhir.
The performance of the Indian bowling unit has been a standout aspect of their World Cup campaign. Indian bowlers have been instrumental in the team's success, claiming a total of 95 wickets in the tournament. The formidable bowling lineup, including Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja, have been pivotal in their team's journey to the final, accounting for 85 of those wickets.
"After Hardik's injury, we have spoken that with just five specialist bowlers, teams will look to target one or two of them. However, that hasn't happened because of the quality of the five bowlers. We have spoken a lot about batters and I feel it is time to praise the bowlers for delivering under pressure," Gambhir added.
India’s journey to the final has been flawless, with the team winning all nine of their league stage matches to top the points table. Their consistent performance in the league stage set up a semi-final clash against New Zealand, where India emerged victorious by 70 runs at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on November 15.
Australia, on the other hand, showcased remarkable resilience after initial setbacks. They bounced back from their opening defeats against India and South Africa to secure a spot in the final with a seven-match winning streak, finishing third in the league stage. Their semi-final win over South Africa at Kolkata's Eden Gardens on November 16 booked their ticket to the final, setting up an exciting showdown with India.
As both teams gear up for the final, the cricketing world awaits to see if India will continue with their winning combination or if any tactical changes, including the inclusion of Ashwin, will be made for the ultimate showdown.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
IND vs AUS, Predicted Playing XI: With Ashwin training rigorously ahead of final, will Rohit make changes to winning combination? Know here
IND vs AUS, Weather Report: Will rain play any part in the 2023 ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad? Check details
