Four decades ago at the a packed crowd at Lords ground, London was enthralled by the Cricketing version of the David vs Goliath story. It’s an epic encounter, the final of the Men’s World cup between previous two time champions, the mighty West Indies and the least expected India. At the end of the day, a new chapter in the glorious history of the game had already been written. Kapil Dev’s boys had performed a miracle.
That day, changed the sporting culture of India. Cricket, though was rising in popularity, was confined mostly to urban pockets, it’s loved by the rich and elite. However, Kapil and his mates’ exploits turned cricket into a national obsession. Today, India is a cricketing superpower.
This afternoon, over a billion eyes are not going to blink, even once, during the India-Australia clash for the 2023 World Cup title at Ahmadabad’s Narendra Modi stadium. In what’s going to be a see-saw tussle, India will try its best for its third World Cup title while the Aussies will aim for their sixth trophy.
Going by its performances, Team India looks invincible, it surely has the edge. However, the Aussies, following their initial couple of drubbings, have returned to their winning ways. Like Rohit Sharma his Aussie counterpart Pat Cummins is a cool, thinking leader.Moreover, on the ground, the Aussies are tough characters and they shine on the big occasions. It must be noted that India has not been challenged completely in this tournament. On the other hand, Australia has been in terrible situations twice, particularly against Afghanistan before the semi finals with New Zealand. And it won both the games under tremendous pressure.
Who wins the trophy tonight is a different matter altogether. But, one thing which will be etched in the memory of all cricket lovers is the amazing knock essayed by Glenn Maxwell against Afghanistan. Many rate it higher than Kapil Dev’s 175 not out against Zimbabwe in the 1983 edition of the tournament, which had been touted as the best One Day cricket innings.
It’s the second time both teams are meeting at a world cup final. Last time (2003) at Johannesburg, bolstered by a magnificent 140 by Ricky Ponting Australia silenced India. However, that story is unlikely to be repeated today. For, Rohit Sharma has an enviably balanced unit. The depth and strength of India’s batting is well known, India has always been known for its batting. However, now India possesses arguably the best bowling attack in the world. This team reminds of the side led by Sunil Gavaskar which won the Benson &Hedges World Championship of Cricket in 1985 played in Australia.
Gavaskar and Co had won all the matches it played before clinching the title at Melbourne. In this World Cup Rohit’s side too has convincingly beaten all opponents, so far. Like in 1985, in this World Cup too, it’s the bowlers, who have won the game, more than once. The performance of the bowlers puts India at an advantageous position. “Our batters will do their job, but it’s the bowlers who will win us the Cup,” hoped, a 12 yr old budding cricketers in Bhubaneswar.
Interestingly, like in the 1985 World Series Cup, this time too, India is playing the same team in the finals against which it begun the tournament. Then it’s Pakistan, now it’s Australia.
In the first match against Australia at the same Ahmadabad ground, chasing a low total India started poorly, lost three quick wickets before a solid partnership between Virat Kohli and KL Rahul ensured victory. In 1985, too, India had been three down quite early before Azharuddin and Gavaskar steered the ship out of danger.
