Australia thrashed India in the ICC Cricket World Cup in Ahmedabad, India, in front of 130,000 Indian supporters. The sea of blue fell silent as Australia scored boundaries and reached its target of 241 in 44th over.
Nearly all of India, including Prime Minister Modi and Bollywood stars Shahrukh Khan, Anushka (wife of Kohli), Deepika, and Ranveer, were present at the stadium to support Team India. However, Australia’s victory in front of the home crowd left everyone disappointed.
In the pursuit of 241 for victory in Ahmedabad on Sunday Head’s impressive 137 steered Australia out of early trouble, securing a comfortable win with seven overs to spare over the previously undefeated hosts. Head’s runs were crucial in a 192-run fourth-wicket partnership with Marnus Labuschagne, who played a controlled 58 off 110, strategically rotating the strike and allowing Head to shine. Together, they quelled the roar of the Narendra Modi Stadium, silencing it after the hosts had Australia at 47-3, seemingly on the brink of a collapse.
The title follows a year in which Australia retained the Ashes in England and emerged victorious against India in the World Test Championship final. Captain Pat Cummins expressed, “This surpasses it all, standing atop the mountain’s peak. It will be a year etched in our memories for a long time. It’s been truly awesome.”
Cummins exhibited superb captaincy, opting to bowl after winning the toss and strategically relying on batting with the dew at night. His adept field placements, timely bowler changes, and effective strategies helped Australia regain control, especially when India was at 80-2 within the initial 10 overs.
From that point onward, the hosts managed to score only four additional boundaries. The captain, also contributing with the ball, claimed figures of 2-34 and achieved the distinction of being the first fast bowler in the tournament to deliver 10 overs without conceding a boundary, dismissing Virat Kohli for 54 in the process. Australia’s fielding prowess was evident, highlighted by a crucial catch by Head running back at point, a game-changing moment that saw Rohit Sharma depart for 47 off 31 balls bowled by Maxwell. Mitchell Starc, taking charge early with the removal of Shubman Gill and later dismissing KL Rahul (66), concluded with figures of 3-55 as India was bowled out on the last ball of the innings.
