🏏 ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Grand Finale : India vs Australia 🏏 - Page 4

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So, how are the teams stacked up? In Rohit-Gill vs Warner-Head, we have two dangerous opening pairs. In Kohli vs Smith, we have two of the best batsmen of this generation. In Bumrah-Siraj-Shami vs Starc-Hazlewood-Cummins, we have two potent pace attacks. In Kuldeep vs Zampa, we have two wily wrist-spinners. In Jadeja vs Maxwell, we have two superb all-rounders. In Shreyas vs Marsh, we have two batters who love to counterattack. KL Rahul vs Josh Inglis seems like a mismatch as the latter has only played a handful of matches while the former has been India's crisis man. That leaves us with Suryakumar vs Labuschagne. SKY hasn't got too many chances to bat and he did score some crucial runs against England. Labuschagne, having played all the matches, has notched up a couple of fifties, but the Marnus v Marcus debate wouldn't have died down quickly.

Manwhile, our correspondent from Motera - Kaushik Rangarajan - is off the blocks - "1 hour to toss and I would estimate about 30,000 people are already inside. The outfield is being sprayed with what seems like anti-dew spray."

Is it possible to stop India? Well, all teams have tried and failed. Captain Rohit Sharma, barring two outings, has got his team off to superb starts in all matches. All the top five Indian batters are averaging in excess of 50. Virat Kohli has accumulated 711 runs (most in a WC edition) and his role has allowed others to bat with a lot of freedom. That's just one department. Many pundits have already admitted that India have the best bowling attack in this competition. Can Australia target one particular bowler and put Rohit under pressure? NZ, somewhat, managed to do it by going after Siraj, but they capitulated against Shami who's picking wickets for fun. While India have all their bases covered, there's always the pressure of expectation. Without pressure there is no professional sport. If you are aiming to be at the top of the game you better start learning how to deal with pressure: Novak Djokovic. India have dealt with that very well so far and are just one victory away from the entire country going into festive mood for the second time in as many weeks. Can they finally end their 10-year drought of an ICC title?

The Aussies have a sadistic habit of not just winning but converting the finals into one-sided affairs. 1999 - skittled out Pakistan for 132 to chase it down with 179 balls to spare. 2003 - amassed a mammoth 359 vs India to win it by 125 runs. 2007 - a comfortable 53-run win over Sri Lanka in a rain-marred encounter. 2015 - bundled out New Zealand for 183 to hunt it down with 101 balls remaining. As many as seven Australians who were part of the triumphant 2015 set-up are here too. The core has remained the same for their major victories in the other formats as well - 2021 T20 WC and 2021–2023 World Test Championship. So, this bunch knows what it takes to win big matches. Captain Cummins wants to silence a 100.000+ crowd - "In sport there's nothing more satisfying than hearing a big crowd go silent and that's the aim for us." Remember, earlier this year, when he and his team riled up the Lord's crowd during the Ashes?

Shashank Kishore, who is reporting from the ground, has this to say: "The stadium is around 60% full at the moment. The noise inside is unbelievable, I fear for the press box glass shattering with all the vibration. India's support staff have just arrived to set up their pre-match training routine, with stumps and bats and everything else they need. Australia yet to be seen. It's sunny, a bit muggy. There was thick haze in the morning."

Neal : "What chance of Ravi Ashwin playing? Although it would be extremely tough on Siraj, I believe Ashwin improves India's chances of victory. " Rohit Sharma has been quite tight-lipped about India's combination and said they will pick the team based on the conditions, India's strengths and Australia's weaknesses. Make of that what you will

Sanjay Manjrekar, at the ground, says the pitch has black soil which should retain moisture and could give an advantage to teams bowling first

Mustafa Moudi: "Waited for this World Cup for More than 4 years and cant believe its going to be over today. From de Kock's unstoppable form to England's slump to upsets from Netherlands and Afghanistan to Bizarre Timed Out to Maxwell's unbelievable to Kohli's 50th Century.. This World Cup has given us lots of moment to cherish. All the Best to both the sides

john: "If India win the toss, they should bat. I forget who said this but I completely agree with them "In a final, if you win the toss 10 times, you should bat first 9 times and the 10th time, let them bowl first"" This comment, coming ahead of an India-Australia World Cup final, has definitely got me chuckling.