After India lost the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia on November 19 (Sunday), former Men in Blue captain Virat Kohli gifted his jersey to the Baggy Greens' Glenn Maxwell. The duo, who play together for the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), were spotted embracing each other just before the presentation ceremony got underway.
Virat Kohli gifts jersey to Glenn Maxwell; watch the video here:
When it comes to leading run-scorers list for the recently-concluded World Cup, no batter came close to Kohli on the list. Once again, he proved why he is called a modern-day great. He broke the record for most ODI centuries and most runs scored in a World Cup edition. Both records belonged to ‘Master Blaster’ Sachin Tendulkar.
The Indian superstar scored 765 runs from 11 innings at a stupendous average of 95.62 including three centuries and six fifties. In only two matches, he could not score more than 50 runs. While Kohli could not lift the World Cup trophy, he won the ‘Player of the tournament’ award.
Meanwhile, Australia, led by Pat Cummins, triumphed in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 final, stunning over 100,000 Indian fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Australian team showcased exceptional bowling skills, followed by a remarkable batting performance from Travis Head, who scored a record-breaking 137 not out. Marnus Labuschagne also contributed significantly with an unbeaten half-century, playing a crucial role in overcoming India's formidable bowling lineup, which had been a major threat to other teams throughout the tournament.
India's aspiration to clinch an ICC trophy remained unfulfilled as they couldn't match their usual high standards in the all-important final. The Indian team, despite a strong showing in the earlier matches, fell short in the final, losing to Australia by six wickets with 42 balls still remaining. This outcome further extended India's wait for a major ICC title, highlighting the intense competition and the unpredictable nature of cricket at the global level.
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