ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Final Preview

Australia will enter the Cricket World Cup final on Sunday with the intention of disrupting the festive atmosphere as they face off against hosts India.

This marks Australia’s eighth appearance in the prestigious event, and their track record of lifting the trophy on five occasions underscores their cricketing prowess. Led by Pat Cummins, the team’s World Cup journey has been marked by resilience, bouncing back after initial setbacks and defying assertions that labelled them as primarily a red-ball outfit. The hard-fought victory against South Africa secured their spot in the final, setting the stage for a clash of cricketing titans.

On the flip side, anything short of victory on Sunday would be a major upset for India. The host team have been nothing short of imperious throughout the past six weeks, breezing through their group-stage match against Sunday’s opponents and maintaining a perfect record of 10 wins from 10 matches leading into the knockout stages. Their semi-final triumph over New Zealand wasn’t without it’s worries, but with the crowd (and pitches) on their side, they’re simply too good of an outfit for anyone at the moment.

The historical context adds an intriguing layer to Sunday’s matchup – Australia’s five-time championship legacy is a testament to their cricketing heritage, while their experience in high-pressure finals could give them a psychological edge. Notably, Australia has a track record of stepping up when it matters most, as evidenced by their three consecutive World Cup triumphs between 1999 and 2007.

On the other hand, India’s recent dominance and the fervent support of the home crowd set the stage for a compelling narrative. The last time these two cricketing giants clashed in a World Cup final was in 2003, where Australia emerged victorious. This adds an element of redemption to India’s quest for glory.

Virat Kohli’s exceptional performance has been a highlight of India’s campaign, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s World Cup run record and achieving 50 ODI centuries in the process. Mohammed Shami, often underrated and despite playing only six matches, stands as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament. With a flawless 10-win record, India’s true test lies in making it 11 on the grandest stage, and they are the 2/5 favourites to achieve that.

Despite India’s commanding performance, the pressure of the final remains a formidable challenge, especially in tight situations. India’s dominance is evident in their consistent control throughout the tournament, with ample wickets in hand during chases and only New Zealand coming close to challenging their batting lineup.

Australia’s mission is clear – to silence the home crowd and create nervous moments, similar to the challenge posed by New Zealand in the semi-final. The pivotal battle lies at the top of the order, where Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood must thwart the explosive starts of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli. If they can achieve that, then their starting odds of 2/1 for victory may slowly begin to trickle down. However, even if Australia manage to contain the top order, the in-form duo of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, supported by a formidable Indian bowling attack, will likely swing any momentum back in the hosts’ favour.