The upcoming final of the 2023 Cricket World Cup is set to revisit the memorable final of 2003 WC clash. The previous encounter in Johannesburg was a one-sided affair, with Ricky Ponting’s Australian team dominating and securing their third World Cup title with a comfortable 125-run win over India.
While the Indian fans would be praying for a different outcome this time, they would also be hoping that the Rohit Sharma-led side will not repeat the same mistakes the Sourav Ganguly’s side made in 2003 summit clash.
Here are 5 World Cup 2003 mistakes Team India should avoid in IND vs AUS final:
A right call on toss
At the 2003 World Cup final, skipper Sourav Ganguly won the toss and opted to field first. That turned out to be a disastrous decision as Australia piled on 359/2 in 50 overs. While the history backs the team chasing at Narendra Modi Stadium, it is always advisable to bat first and put on a big score in big knockout matches. So, will this current Indian side go with the history or will they look to play to their strengths?
Good start with new ball
The dangerous Australian opening duo of Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden punished the Indian pace attack from the word go. Australia’s current opening pair, Travis Head and David Warner, who have provided Australia brisk starts in the games, will look to go with the same approach in the final as well. Therefore, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will have to be on the mark with the new ball.
Disciplined bowling at death
India’s then veteran pacers Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra and Javagal Srinath failed to contain Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn in the last ten overs of the game. However, with the the kind of form Indian bowlers are, they are likely to dominate Australia’s middle-order batters, including Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell.
Brisk start with the bat
One key reason behind India’s success in the World Cup has been their top order. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has led the side from the front by playing aggressive innings with the word go. The Men in Blue needs to continue with the same strategy to dominate the Australian bowlers.
Taking the game deep
One aspect that hurt India the most in the 2003 World Cup was their inability to mark a comeback. However, the current Indian side showed the capability of turning the game around in their opening WC game against Australia. The Men in Blue were 2/3 in the chase but they still managed to secure a win on a tricky Chepauk wicket.
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