The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final will witness a clash between India and Australia, two cricketing giants with a rich history. The match will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, November 19. India emerged as the top team in the league stage, winning all nine of their matches. They defeated New Zealand by 70 runs in the first semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Australia, on the other hand, faced early setbacks in the league stage, losing their first two matches. However, they bounced back with a remarkable winning streak, claiming victories in their remaining seven matches to finish third behind India and South Africa. They secured their spot in the final by defeating South Africa in the second semi-final at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday.
The upcoming final will mark the third time India and Australia have faced each other in a World Cup final. In the previous two encounters, Australia emerged victorious, claiming a 125-run win in 2003 and defeating India in the semi-final of the 2015 World Cup.
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The last match played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad saw Afghanistan being bowled out for 244 runs in their first innings. Pacer Gerald Coetzee impressed with four wickets, and the pitch appeared to offer assistance to the pacers. However, towards the second innings, spinners might find the track more favorable.
India
India is likely to stick with the same lineup that has been successful in their last six matches, except for a potential change due to a late fitness issue. Ravichandran Ashwin’s strong performance against Australia in Chennai could tempt the team to include him, but this would leave them with either a two-pronged pace attack or a one-dimensional batting lineup.
Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav.
Australia
Australia considered but ultimately decided against including Marcus Stoinis in their semifinal XI, opting for Marnus Labuschagne instead. This decision is likely to remain unchanged for the final.
Probable XI: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne/Marcus Stoinis/Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglish, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Fantasy XI Suggestion 1:
KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, David Warner, Virat Kohli (c), Shubman Gill, Mitchell Marsh, Ravindra Jadeja, Glenn Maxwell (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
Fantasy XI Suggestion 2:
KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, David Warner (vc), Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill (c), Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Glenn Maxwell (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
