Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi believes overconfidence may have been the reason behind India’s top-order batting failures in the World Cup final against Australia. Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, India entered the 2023 ODI World Cup final unbeaten, winning all 10 of their group stage matches. However, they were defeated by Australia in the summit clash held in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
During a live discussion on Sama TV while India was batting at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Afridi dismissed the possibility of the home team succumbing to pressure, instead suggesting that overconfidence may have affected their batting performance.
“International cricket is all about how to handle pressure,” Shahid Afridi said. “They [Indian players] understand that. When you keep winning games continuously, overconfidence can creep in, which can prove fatal at times.”
“Overconfidence can prove fatal at times,” said Shahid Afridi following India’s loss of three wickets.
“International cricket is all about pressure, and how to handle it,” he added. #SamaaTV #WorldCup @SAfridiOfficial @yousaf1788 @Mushy_online @umairbashirr @sawerapasha pic.twitter.com/nYeBYmmYGT
— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) November 19, 2023
After being asked to bat first, India lost three wickets inside the first 10 overs, including opener Shubman Gill, captain Rohit Sharma, and Shreyas Iyer, putting them under immediate pressure.
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Virat Kohli and KL Rahul led the recovery effort but failed to increase the scoring rate, with India going through a period where they did not hit a single boundary for 97 deliveries. India was eventually bowled out for 240 runs in 50 overs, with Rahul and Kohli scoring half-centuries.
Australia also struggled early, losing three wickets in quick succession, but they maintained a steady scoring rate, with opener Travis Head hitting a quick century to put them on track for a six-wicket victory. India’s defeat extends their wait for an ICC trophy, with their last title coming in 2013 when MS Dhoni’s team won the Champions Trophy in England.
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Australia also lost three early wickets, but they maintained a steady scoring rate, and opener Travis Head struck a quick century to put them on course for a six-wicket victory. The loss extends India’s wait for an ICC trophy, with their last victory coming in 2013 when MS Dhoni’s team won the Champions Trophy in England.
