The 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Final has arrived, with India and Australia renewing their rivalry at Narendra Modi Stadium.
Our expert team has analysed all the form and markets for a mouthwatering clash between the two cricket powerhouses.
INDIA VS. AUSTRALIA
19th November, 7:30pm
Two weeks into the 2023 ODI World Cup, it would’ve taken a brave punter to back the Aussies in their pursuit of a record sixth title.
While Australia’s record in World Cups is unrivalled – the West Indies and India are next in line with two trophies each – Pat Cummins’ squad was leagues away from its best with a six-wicket loss to India and a 134-run thumping at the hands of the Proteas.
Questions were being asked of the coach, the captain, the batting line-up (no Head at that stage), and with the Indians, South Africans and New Zealanders dominating, all hope was quickly disappearing from even the most hardened green and gold fans.
As it turns out, we need not have worried, with a dominant five-wicket (and 88-ball) win over Sri Lanka acting as the catalyst for one of the great World Cup runs. David Warner was seeing them as well as any batsmen at the top of the order, while Adam Zampa was taking poles for fun as the Aussies pieced together win after win against Pakistan, Netherlands, New Zealand, England, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
It was the game against the ever-improving Afghanis that allowed the Aussie fans to dream again, with Glenn Maxwell overcoming more cramps than any man should endure en route to the most explosive 201* (128) the cricket world has ever seen. Throw in a century for Head upon his return against the Kiwis, and the Aussies are again neck-deep in another World Cup.
This, however, is just one side of the coin.
The other refers to the Indians. The undefeated hometown (potential) champions who have improved every week throughout the tournament.
After setting the tone against the Aussies in their World Cup opener, the Rohit/Virat-led Indians shortened even further in the futures markets with nine of the most dominant Group Stage victories one will see. A 302-run win over Sri Lanka, a 243-run demolition of the Proteas, seven-wicket annihilation over Pakistan and Bangladesh. In fact, the closest any team has come is the Kiwis, and it was still four wickets.
Of course, the Indians’ domination comes off the back of individual brilliant from Virat Kohli (711 runs @ 101.57), Rohit Sharma (550 @ 55), Shreyas Iyer (526 @ 75.14), KL Rahul (386 @ 77.20) and Shubman Gill (350 @ 50). Kohli’s most recent century against NZ was his 50th in ODI cricket, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar on 49 but from 172 less games.
Even India’s bowlers have starred in front of the home fans, with Mohammed Shami (23 wickets), Jasprit Bumrah (18) and Ravi Jadeja (16) all in the top 10.
Fans will undoubtedly witness the two best sides going head-to-head on Sunday night. One on a 10-game winning streak and the other on 8. Despite the Australians’ incredible reversal of form after those first two games, they’ve gone in and out of games too often to comfortably back them for an eighth trophy. And the Indians, well, they’ve been flawless.
Suggested Bet: India to win @ $1.40
