Former Indian player turned veteran commentator Sunil Gavaskar has warned that Australians can’t be taken lightly ahead of Sunday’s 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad. He also added that Australia’s never-say-die attitude always helps them in crunch situations. Although Team India are firm favourite for the final, the Aussies have done well in the tournament. They lost the first two matches of the competition but bounced back to win eight on a trot.
Speaking to India Today, Gavaskar gave Glenn Maxwell’s innings against Afghanistan as an example of their never-say-attitude.
“Yeah, India are certainly the favorites because of the way they have played,” he said. “But the Australians can never be written off. We saw the way Glenn Maxwell played. The manner in which he played, he didnt give up.”The love for the country and the drive to try and win something for the country is something that you can never discount as far as the Australians are concerned.”
However, Glenn Maxwell became the first batter in ODI cricket to score a double century while chasing a total. Chasing 292, Australia were reduced to 91/7, but the all-rounder smashed an unbeaten 201* off 128 to help his side.
“Definitely, the two best teams are playing in the final. India won all nine matches in the group stage and then they won the semi-final in style as well,” he continued. “Australia stumbled at the start but they came back strongly to win some games from impossible positions,” Sunil Gavaskar concluded.
