One final step towards glory: India vs Australia - An epic battle for immortality
India's Cricket World Cup journey has been filled with immense anticipation, relentless pressure, and a rich tapestry of historical significance As they brace themselves to face Australia, the expectations of an entire nation soar to unparalleled heights
The Cricket World Cup in India has been burdened with tremendous expectations, pressure, and historical significance right from the beginning. The host nation's journey will reach its climax on Sunday as they go head-to-head with Australia in the final, 45 days after their initial match in the tournament's opening game.
India cruised to a six-wicket victory in that match and has subsequently dominated its home tournament by winning 10 consecutive games. This has raised the expectations in the cricket-crazy nation, which has eagerly awaited another one-day trophy for 12 years.
In contrast, Australia's tournament got off to a shaky start with two losses in its first two matches against India and South Africa. However, they managed to turn things around by winning eight straight matches to progress through the group stage and eventually defeat South Africa in the semifinals.
Rohit Sharma and India are unbeaten so far in this tournament.
According to Reuters, Australias Mitchell Starc expressed his desire to compete with the best, acknowledging India as the top contenders in the tournament. Starc stated, "It's the reason why we participate in this game."
Captain Rohit Sharma emphasized the pressure Indian cricket players face, stating, "As an Indian cricketer, one must handle immense pressure."
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, with a seating capacity of 132,000, is anticipated to be completely filled on Sunday, as every fan in attendance hopes for nothing less than an Indian triumph. Australia captain Pat Cummins, speaking to reporters on Saturday, stated that although the crowd will obviously be heavily biased towards India, there is no greater satisfaction in sports than witnessing a large crowd fall into silence, and that is our objective.
"You have to fully embrace every aspect of a finale. In the buildup, there will be increased noise, more people, and heightened interest. It's important not to let it overwhelm you."
Under the guidance of coach Rahul Dravid, the Indian team has evolved into a highly organized and harmonious unit. Their top five batsmen have collectively averaged 71.66 runs, showcasing their prowess. Furthermore, their formidable bowling attack consists of the fast bowlers and the spin bowling skills of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja.
At the core of the team is Virat Kohli, who has cemented his status as India's talisman through his extraordinary achievements. In the semifinals against New Zealand, he notched up his 50th ODI century, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's previous record. Furthermore, he now holds the title for the highest-scoring batsman in a single men's World Cup tournament, accumulating an impressive 711 runs thus far.
How to watch
Australias journey to the final has also witnessed remarkable moments of brilliance, with the standout being Glenn Maxwell's extraordinary unbeaten innings of 201 runs off 128 deliveries. This incredible performance played a crucial role in securing his team's spot in the knockout stages, especially at a time when defeat against Afghanistan appeared almost certain.
The match will be streamed on WillowTV and accessible on the ESPN+ app for viewers in the USA. Indian fans can watch on Star Sports Network, while Australian viewers can tune in to Fox Sports and Kayo. For a comprehensive list of broadcasters worldwide, please refer to this link.
