On This Day, October 5, 2023: The day marked the electrifying opening day of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 – all excitement, scintillating cricketing skill, and the quest for glory.
A New Chapter!
Top-10 of the top cricket-playing nations competed against each other, fighting to get their hands on the ultimate prize money in the game. The event was scheduled across 10 world-class stadiums with 48 games played. The final game was played on November 19, 2023, when Australia clinched their 6th ODI World Cup title against the formidable Indian team.
The tournament flew off to a belting start as England clashed with New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in an eagerly awaited encounter. Much to the expectations, the first match did not disappoint as New Zealand emerged winners by 9 wickets to usher an electrifying flavor to the competition. From Kiwis, Devon Conway (152* runs) and Rachin Ravindra (123* runs) demolished the then-world champions. Their performances got the cricket fans talking and made great expectations from what is supposed to be an unforgettable tournament.
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The Final: Agony For India
The stage was set for India to reclaim the coveted ICC World Cup trophy for the first time since 2011, but standing in their way was the formidable Australian team, masters of high-pressure situations. When Australia won the toss, they made the surprising decision to bowl first, setting the tone for an intense showdown.
India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, got off to a stellar start, but once he was dismissed, the Australian bowlers seized control of the game. India managed to post a total of 240 runs, a decent score but not without its challenges.
As the second innings began, Australia found themselves struggling at 3/47, seemingly on the back foot. However, Travis Head had different ideas. In a stunning display of batting prowess, he smashed 137 runs, dismantling the Indian bowling attack and steering Australia to their sixth World Cup title.
Remarkably, this final was the only match India lost throughout the entire tournament, a testament to their impressive journey. This hard-fought encounter not only highlighted the resilience of both teams but also set the stage for Rohit Sharma and his squad to regroup and aim for glory in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, seeking to add another trophy to their cabinet after their 2007 victory.
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