As India prepare for the highly anticipated 2023 World Cup final against Australia, the team stands in a formidable position, supported by a mix of individual brilliance and collective strengths. The narrative of India's journey to the final revolves around the outstanding form of both its batting order and bowling attack, coupled with overall excellence on the field. Notably, India are the sole undefeated team in the World Cup so far, and Rohit Sharma's squad aims to conclude the tournament with an unbeaten record as they face the formidable Australians in the title clash in Ahmedabad.
In anticipation of the showdown with Australia, let's thoroughly examine the strengths driving the men in blue and the potential challenges that may lie ahead as they strive for a coveted third World Cup title.
Strengths
Throughout the tournament, Rohit has demonstrated an exceptionally selfless approach at the opening position, prioritising the team's objectives over personal milestones. His aggressive style has consistently given India robust starts in various matches. Notably, he did not allow the lingering memories of India's 2019 semi-final exit against New Zealand to affect his gameplay during the recent rematch with the Kiwis. His quick 27-ball 45 played a crucial role in setting the stage for the team's outstanding batting performance, resulting in a formidable score of 397/4 in fifty overs.
Virat Kohli, the key figure in the batting lineup, has been in exceptional form, surpassing legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most centuries in ODI history and achieving the milestone for the most runs in a single World Cup edition on November 15. His consistent run-scoring not only has been pivotal in driving India's success but has also positioned him as the primary player to watch in the final. In India's group match against Australia, Kohli played a crucial role in steering the team during a challenging 200-run chase. Facing a daunting situation with India at 2/3, the 35-year-old star, partnering with KL Rahul, orchestrated the rebuilding of the Indian innings, ultimately securing a six-wicket win. On that day, he scored 85, and since then, he has added three more fifties and as many centuries to his name in the tournament.
The clarity of roles in the batting order was prominently showcased in the semi-final against New Zealand. After Rohit's dismissal, Shubman Gill assumed an aggressive approach, allowing Kohli to play in his natural style. Later, when Gill had to leave the field due to cramps and a hamstring pull, Shreyas Iyer also maintained an aggressive game to keep the pressure on the Kiwis. Throughout the tournament, it was evident that Kohli serves as the linchpin holding the batting order together; he imparts solidity to the Indian batting, a fact well-recognised by the team management.
Mohammed Shami has emerged as a revelation for India in the bowling department, accumulating an impressive tally of 23 wickets in just seven matches. His capacity to lead the pace attack with precision and take crucial wickets at pivotal moments has heightened India's dominance in the World Cup. Shami was initially not part of India's XI in the first four matches, but an injury to Hardik Pandya opened the door for his inclusion.
While Hardik's absence posed a significant loss to the batting order, the bowling attack gained a quality pacer in Shami, who wreaked havoc on opponents throughout the tournament. In the match against New Zealand, Shami broke the dangerous partnership between Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell by dismissing the former, concluding with remarkable figures of 7/57.
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Among the spinners, chinaman Kuldeep Yadav has complemented the pace attack admirably. His ability to maintain pressure in the middle overs, combined with Ravindra Jadeja's all-round brilliance, has provided India with a versatile bowling unit. The synergy between these two bowlers has played a crucial role in restricting opponents and creating breakthroughs when needed.
Weaknesses
Mohammed Siraj, despite showcasing moments of brilliance, has faced challenges in maintaining consistency in the 2023 World Cup. Although his standout performance against Sri Lanka (3/16 in seven overs) played a pivotal role in a surprising batting collapse, he has struggled, as demonstrated in the match against New Zealand where he gave away 78 runs in 9 overs. With a bowling average of 32.61, Siraj holds the highest average among Indian bowlers who have bowled 15 or more overs in the tournament, underscoring the need for greater stability in his performances.
Thanks to our top order, which has shown unmatched resilience and stability, the lower order hasn't encountered challenging situations in this edition so far. However, in a high-pressure match like the World Cup final, unpredictable scenarios can arise. While India have the resources to navigate through challenges, they have remained relatively untested until now. The limited exposure for players such as Suryakumar Yadav (facing 77 deliveries in 6 matches) and Ravindra Jadeja (facing 96 deliveries in 10 matches) raises concerns about their preparedness to handle pressure situations in the crucial closing stages of the tournament. In the last match, Suryakumar came to bat in the final over, while Jadeja didn't get a chance to bat at all.
It's no secret that the absence of Hardik Pandya has significantly compromised India's batting depth. The team has opted for six batters in the past six matches, and while bowlers like Bumrah and Shami possess some batting talent, their ability to play a supporting role at the crease remains uncertain. In contrast, Australia benefits from the all-round capabilities of players like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, who have consistently demonstrated their resilience and ability to handle pressure. In the semi-final against South Africa, the duo forged a crucial unbeaten 22-run partnership for victory. Notably, Cummins' remarkable 68-ball unbeaten innings in the match against Afghanistan stands out, as he came to the crease when the team was struggling at 7 wickets for just 91 in a 292-run chase. Cummins held firm at one end, ensuring Glenn Maxwell's extraordinary power-hitting secured Australia a memorable win.
In knockout cricket, certainty can be hard to come by, but the strengths displayed throughout the tournament, including a potent batting order and high-quality bowling, undoubtedly establish India as the dominant force. The calm and composed demeanour demonstrated in the semi-final, where they successfully handled the challenging partnership between Williamson and Mitchell, reveals a team capable of navigating pressure with resilience. If this performance is any indication, India are poised to emerge victorious for the third time come November 19.
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