Match Preview: India vs Australia, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Final

Get ready for an epic saga at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final, where cricket's behemoths, India and Australia, lock horns in a battle for glory. Witness history as India, led by Virat Kohli's record-smashing heroics, meets Australia's phoenix-like rise. This isn't just a game; it's a blockbuster, unfolding in Ahmedabad's colossal arena, where every ball, run, and wicket will write a new chapter in cricket's legendary tales.

Venue Insights

Set to host the final, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, recognized as the world's largest cricketing venue, offers a unique and challenging pitch. Typically favouring batsmen, the surface at this iconic stadium provides an advantageous setting for high scoring. However, the initial phases of the match could prove challenging for the batsmen as the pitch is known to assist seam bowlers.

As the match progresses, spin bowlers might also find favourable conditions, adding an intriguing tactical element to the game. This blend of pitch characteristics at the Narendra Modi Stadium is expected to result in an enthralling and intense cricket match.

Form Guide: India

India, boasting an impressive streak of WWWWW in their last five completed ODIs, has been a dominant force in this World Cup. The team's commanding presence has been marked by several key narratives, most notably Virat Kohli's remarkable journey to 50 ODI hundreds. Their performance has been so dominant that they have outshone many other stories of the tournament.

In terms of numbers, India's dominance is clear: when batting first, their average winning margin is an astounding 175 runs, and while chasing, they typically secure victory with 64.4 balls remaining. This level of performance has only been rivalled by Australia's march to the 2007 World Cup final.

India's batting has been exceptional, with the team surpassing 350 runs in three out of five instances when batting first and scoring 326 for 5 in another instance. Their bowling has matched this prowess, twice bowling out the opposition for below 80 runs. Fielding has been another area where India has excelled, contributing significantly to their dominant performances.

Four out of their top five batsmen have scored hundreds during this campaign, with Shubman Gill also performing exceptionally, averaging 50 and striking at 108.02. The team has thrived in the electric atmosphere of their home crowds, with Kohli's leadership likened to conducting an orchestra, enhancing their performance and unity.

Form Guide: Australia

Australia's path to the final, reflected in its last five ODI results of WWWWW, has been a tale of resilience and resurgence. After a challenging start to the tournament, including a loss to India, they managed to secure a remarkable eight consecutive victories. Their journey has been marked by overcoming major challenges, such as recovering from being 91 for 7 against Afghanistan and weathering strong opposition in matches like the one against New Zealand in Dharamsala.