Method Beats Flair As Australia Are Crowned Champions of the World

Huge Enthusiasm 

The Indian Cricket Team has been the toast of the nation since the World Cup began. The Men in Blue played cricket of the highest order and  churned out victories at will. Came the Finale and the whole country was expectedly confident of an  Indian win. There was a mad rush to conjure seats for the match. The skyrocketing airfares and hotel rents notwithstanding, the fans were ready to lighten their pockets to be a part of history, to see their heroes triumph and to soak themselves in all the glory. What a momentous occasion it was, just that the dreaded Law  of Averages, did not show mercy.

Cummins’ Conviction

The Australians have a history and the Indian Team was wary of the determination and resoluteness of the Yellow Brigade. Though we were the favourites, the Aussies were no pushovers and would be tough opponents, was anybody’s guess. And so true it turned out to be.  They won the toss and against critical opinion decided to bowl. I was surprised too. However, there was huge conviction in the voice of Pat Cummins and soon we realised, how good was the call he made.

A Shot Too Many & A Great Catch, Turn The Match

The 5-times World Champions came out extremely well prepared and though Rohit was taking the game away with his aggressive stroke play, the Aussie shoulders did not droop but continued to field like men possessed. Diving, sliding et al, and saving runs galore. Rohit played a shot too many, but had it not been for Travis Head in the field, we could have seen a different script. The high ball sailing over Head’s left shoulder was caught inches from the ground. Travis Head timed his dive to perfection and held on to the ball in a desperate attempt. The catch turned the match on its head and India did not recover after that.

Aussies Had Their Homework Done

Batting became a struggle post Rohit’s exit. The pitch was slow and the sun dried it further making strokeplay a real challenge. We had also lost wickets in the interim and therefore KL Rahul and Kohli had to do the repair work. The run-rate went into a downward spiral and whenever the Indians tried to up the scoring rate, a wicket fell. Immaculate accuracy in terms of a nagging length with amazing consistency tied the Indian batters in knots. Surya Kumar Yadav was fed with a barrage of slow cutters. He could not connect a single one of them and eventually perished. Such was the detailed homework by the Australians. India closed out at 240, a score much below par. 

India Bowlers Come Hard at The Aussies

The Australians expected the Indian bowlers to come hard at them and so it happened. Shami got Warner and Bumrah accounted for Marsh and Smith. There was a sniff of a chance, but Marnus Labuschagne dropped anchor and the dangerous Travis Head after absorbing the initial pressure, opened up. The pitch in the cool of the night with light dew became better to bat. Jadeja and Kuldeep our trump cards unfortunately did not get any purchase from the wicket and by the time Siraj was introduced in the 16th over ( a bit of a surprise ), nothing was happening for the bowling side.

Travis Head’s Brilliance Shuts Doors for India

Travis Head played the innings of his life. He did not chance his arm at all, but played proper shots and got boundaries at will. The target was not challenging and the Aussies knew that one good partnership would seal the deal. India tried hard, and the bowlers gave it all, but Labuschagne and Head had seized the initiative and very methodically chipped away, bringing down the target steadily. Head reached his century and then it was quick work. The stadium submerged in an Ocean Of Blue, went quiet ( as it was for most of the day ) as the Aussies galloped to a resounding victory. 

Heartbreak

There was heartbreak all over. One of India’s best teams ever to have played ODIs had lost the only match of the tournament. The dreaded law of averages had got to them. The Aussies were mighty well prepared for the match and executed their plans to perfection. The men in blue who had played some enthralling and dazzling cricket and given so much joy to the millions in India, had been defeated by a side which had adapted to conditions extremely well, not to mention their grit and determination to win the Final.

The Indian Cricket Team : India’s Pride

The Indian Players looked distraught, understandably so, but the fact is that they were brilliant in the Tournament and can hold their heads high with pride. They played each game at a different venue and seamlessly adapted to them. They travelled the length and breadth of the country without a complaint and mesmerised fans with their luminous performances. 

‘ Men in Blue ‘…Keep Going !!

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