Ahead of the World Cup 2023 finale, Australian star batter Steve Smith is rallying his team to rise to the occasion against host nation India at the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19. Australia faces the formidable challenge of squaring off against India's dynamic batting and potent bowling attack, all in the presence of a passionate Indian crowd.
The match is set to take place in the world's largest cricket stadium, which can seat 130,000 spectators, creating an electrifying atmosphere as the Australian team faces off against the undefeated Indian squad. Smith emphasizes the importance of embracing the high-pressure environment of such a significant game.
"Being good is in Australia's DNA. I feel like, personally, I am someone who likes big moments. I think that our mantra going to the final as a team to embrace the pressure. There are going to be 130,000 screaming fans that are going to be against us. We have just got to embrace it and enjoy every moment," Steve Smith told the ICC.
Australia captain Pat Cummins also spoke about the impact the crowd will have at the world's largest stadium with home side India playing the final.
"The crowd's obviously going to be very one-sided but in sport, there's nothing more satisfying than hearing a big crowd go silent and that's the aim for us tomorrow," Cummins told reporters on Saturday.
"You've just got to embrace every part of a final ... you know in the lead-up there's going to be noise and more people and interest and you just can't get overwhelmed."
Australia's journey to the final saw them recover from an initial setback against India, showcasing resilience with a streak of eight wins. This remarkable comeback led them to the final showdown against India, a team with an impeccable record of 10 wins in this tournament. Smith's call to embrace the pressure reflects the Australian team's mindset as they prepare to challenge the host nation in what promises to be an epic encounter.
"We know it's going to be a packed house. There's going to be 130,000 fans here supporting India. So it's going to be awesome," Cummins said.
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