Australia clinched its sixth men’s Cricket World Cup title on Sunday, overcoming a hostile home crowd in Ahmedabad, to beat India by six wickets.
India failed to live up to its country’s hopes after it had been the dominant force in the tournament, winning 10 matches in a row and increasing the expectations in this cricket-mad nation that had been longing for another one-day trophy since 2011.
However, its formidable batting line-up crumbled under Australia’s smart bowling attack, while Travis Head’s magnificent 137 off 120 balls guided Australia’s chase as it reached the target with ease and lifted another World Cup trophy.
India, the host nation, had been the champion in the previous three World Cups. With India at the top of the world rankings, it was widely anticipated that it would retain its crown, especially at the 132,000-capacity Narendra Modi Stadium.
India had a blistering start, scoring 80 runs in the first powerplay, matching the record for a men’s World Cup final. Captain Rohit Sharma was the main aggressor, hitting a massive six that triggered fireworks above the stadium.
But Rohit’s innings was cut short by a superb catch from Head off Maxwell’s bowling, which produced a leading edge. Shreyas Iyer followed him soon after, leaving the Indian crowd in shock and changing the course of the game.
The scoring rate dropped as the pressure mounted, and Virat Kohli and KL Rahul tried to cautiously rebuild India’s innings. But just when it looked like the pressure was easing as Rahul hit the first boundary in 16 overs, Kohli was dismissed for 54, dragging the ball onto his stumps from a delivery by Australia captain Pat Cummins.
Cummins used his bowlers wisely, disrupting India’s batting rhythm, and after Kohli’s departure, no partnership could muster a substantial score.
Rahul fought hard for his 66 off 107 balls, and the lower order chipped in with some vital runs to take India to a decent total but it always seemed inadequate to defend.
Australia seized the momentum and carried it into its batting. David Warner and Head added 15 runs in the first over before Warner was caught in the second over by Mohammed Shami, giving India a glimmer of hope.
Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith were soon dismissed to reduce Australia to 47-3 and India regained the momentum. The crowd roared with every false stroke, urging India to take another wicket and capitalize on its advantage.
But a brilliant Head, who was awarded the player of the match, and Marnus Labuschagne, who made 58, forged a partnership that took the game away from India.
Head’s innings came to an end when he was caught two runs short of victory, allowing Maxwell to come in and hit the winning runs, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Australians.
