Australia halt India juggernaut to win sixth World Cup title

AHMEDABAD, India, Nov 19 (Reuters) – Australia as soon as once more confirmed their skill to supply their finest on the grandest of events on Sunday after they toppled India to win the 50-overs World Cup title and cement their standing as probably the most profitable workforce within the event’s historical past.

Australia opener Travis Head smashed an impressive century to style their six-wicket victory in opposition to the event’s type workforce who posted a below-par 240 all out and had been reeled in with seven overs to spare.

Head hit an excellent 137 off 120 balls to ease Australian nerves after a top-order wobble earlier than they romped dwelling in a contest that by no means reached nice heights.

Australia entered the match as clear underdogs in opposition to an all-conquering India aspect, who had gained 10 matches in a row to storm into the ultimate.

And if their model of fearless cricket was not intimidating sufficient, Rohit Sharma’s workforce had been additionally assured of vociferous assist from predominantly Indian followers on the world’s largest cricket stadium.

The celebrities appeared to have aligned for India to win the event and finish a worldwide title drought stretching again to the 2012 Champions Trophy.

In any case, the Australia workforce below Pat Cummins, who started their marketing campaign with back-to-back defeats, lacked the aura of the Ricky Ponting-led aspect who had steamrollered India within the 2003 ultimate.

Cummins raised a couple of eyebrows in his pre-match press convention the place he expressed his need to silence the ocean of Indian followers on the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium.

His workforce mates took on the duty on Sunday and deathly silence prevailed on the 132,000 capability floor for a significant a part of the match that ended with Australia comfortably prevailing.

Cummins led by instance, taking the daring resolution to subject after profitable the toss, which entailed the difficult process of chasing below lights.

India’s batting template within the event had skipper Rohit Sharma setting the tone with unbridled aggression on the high and Virat Kohli taking part in the anchor with others batting round them.

They caught to the method within the ultimate however Australia’s immaculate bowling, aided by sharp fielding, annoyed India when it mattered probably the most.

Head took a surprising catch to dismiss Rohit for 47 and player-of-the-tournament Kohli chopped a supply onto his stumps to depart after a fluent 54.

KL Rahul made 66 however it was a exceptional job by the Australian bowlers to limit India to 240 all out in precisely 50 overs.

Australia slumped to 47-3 seven overs into what ought to have been a simple chase earlier than Head mixed in an epic stand of 192 with Marnus Labuschagne to kill off the competition.

Australia’s triumph snapped the development of a number nation profitable the title that had held because the 2011 version and adopted their current victory within the World Check Championship and retaining the Ashes in opposition to England.

CRICKETING PINNACLE

“I believe that is the head of worldwide cricket, profitable a one-day World Cup,” Cummins stated.

“It has been a giant yr for everybody, however our cricket workforce has been right here in India, the Ashes, World Check Championship and to high it off with that is simply large.

“These are the moments that you’re going to bear in mind for the remainder of your life.”

It was a exceptional marketing campaign by Australia, who dug deep into their expertise of competing within the enterprise finish of showpiece occasions to raise themselves.

Head and Marnus Labuschagne, who cast the match-winning partnership, weren’t even sure of taking part in the event.

Head missed the primary 5 matches with a damaged hand whereas Labuschagne was not even within the unique squad, and was included solely after spinner Ashton Agar missed out with harm.

For India, faltering on the ultimate hurdle after a near-flawless marketing campaign was a heavy blow they usually seemed disconsolate whereas Australia celebrated.

Rahul sank to his knees, whereas Mohammed Siraj was in tears. Even Kohli discovered little solace in being named participant of the event.

“We ran a very good marketing campaign, actually happy with the boys,” India coach Rahul Dravid advised reporters.

“We had been the favourites as a result of we had been taking part in nicely however Australia can also be an excellent cricket workforce.

“Additionally they got here right here with eight wins on the bounce, so we had been below no illusions that this was going to be a tricky contest.

“We had been assured that if we performed nicely, we might get the precise consequence however sadly on the day they performed higher than us.”

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Ideas.