Following a ‘Shamifinals’ performance by the host Indian team against New Zealand in the first semi-finals on November 15, captain Rohit and his team will try to pull off the ultimate kill and bring the coveted ICC ODI World Cup 2023 home after 12 years on Sunday.
Despite having the chance to end their ICC Cup wait much sooner against their neighbor, India was defeated in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 finals by Pakistan. Indian fans were devastated by the memory of legendary player Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s runout against New Zealand in the ICC World Cup 2019 semi-finals, which also happened to be his final international match.
In anticipation of the Sunday finals, cricket enthusiasts have already started offering prayers in temples all over India. On November 19, the blue army of ICT hopes to leave a lasting impression at the renowned Narendra Modi International Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Australia’s goal on Sunday is to win the sixth ICC One-Day International World Cup trophy and put an end to India’s amazing run. It will be considered a blessing that Australia made it to the World Cup finals for the eighth time, given that South Africa almost beat Australia in the second semifinal match by chasing down 213 runs. 213 runs.
Even their semi-final ticket would have been in doubt if Glenn Maxwell had not hit a fierce 201 off 128 balls against the skilled Afghan side, with Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Afghanistan vying for the final two spots, but the Indian team would not dare to underestimate the Australian side, who lost their opening two games and won all their remaining eight games, including the semi-finals.
This will not be the first meeting between these two cricketing sides in this ICC World Cup 2023; earlier in the round-robin game, India comfortably surpassed Australia by 115 runs riding on KL Rahul’s 115-balls 97*. Now it’s time for the ultimate showdown to decide who will have his last laugh at the Narendra Modi Stadium, which has 11 different pitches; five of these are black soil, three are red soil pitches in equal quantity and one is a mixture of both.
Many bookies believe India is the favorite to win this tournament because their bowling and batting have been on fire throughout the tournament, whether it is Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, or Shami Ahmed. Everyone performed admirably, but in order to win against this ferocious Indian attack, Pat Cummins and company will need to catch up, especially after their middle-order blunder against South Africa on Thursday.
The Narendra Modi Stadium will also witness a grand opening ceremony as India bids adieu to the 45-day tournament at the largest cricket stadium with a 10-minute air show conducted by the Indian Air Force in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia led by Flight Commander and Deputy team leader Wing Commander Sidesh Kartik.
Along with this, for the first time World Cup winning captains will be honored through Parade of Champions with 20 sec reel highlights of their winning moments and also felicitating them with special blazers representing the ICC CWC 23 will be done at the half time (5:30 pm ) for 15 minutes.
