Team India are taking on Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, November 19. The Men in Blue have had an exceptional run in the tournament so far, winning all their matches. After going unbeaten in the league stage, they beat New Zealand by 70 runs in the first semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
India are featuring in the ODI World Cup final for the fourth time. As for how many times the Men in Blue have won the ODI World Cup, the answer is two.
They appeared in the summit clash for the first time in 1983 and created history by getting the better of West Indies at the hallowed Lord’s cricket ground in London.
Team India batted first in the 1983 final, but came up with a poor batting effort to be bowled out for just 183 runs. Opener Kris Srikkanth top-scored for India with 38 runs, Sandeep Patil scored 27, while Mohinder Amarnath contributed 26, but most of the others disappointed.
For West Indies, Andy Roberts (3/32), Malcolm Marshall (2/24), Michael Holding (2/26) and Larry Gomes (2/49) were among the wickets.
India, however, were brilliant with the ball, and cleaned up West Indies for just 140 runs to register a famous 43-run win. Amarnath followed up his 26 with 3/12. Madan Lal also claimed three scalps as India stunned West Indies and world cricket.
The Men in Blue’s second ODI World Cup triumph came in 2011 under MS Dhoni’s leadership. They beat Sri Lanka by six wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Batting first, the Lankans put up a competitive 274/6 on the board as Mahela Jayawardene hammered a brilliant unbeaten 103 off just 88 balls.
In the chase, India lost opener Virender Sehwag (0) and batting legend Sachin Tendulkar (18) early to Lasith Malinga. However, Gautam Gambhir (97) and captain MS Dhoni (91*) played brilliant knocks to lift India to an iconic victory.
India's ODI World Cup History
Here is a quick recap of India's journey in the previous ODI World Cup finals:
1983 World Cup:
India beat West Indies by 43 runs at Lord's to lift their first ever World Cup title. Batting first, India scored just 183 as the Windies pacers ran riot. However, Mohinder Amarnath and co. bowled out the mighty West Indies for 140 to script a famous win.
2003 World Cup:
Australia thrashed India by 125 runs in the final at Johannesburg. Ricky Ponting hammered 140 as Australia piled up 359/2. India crashed to 234 all out in response. It was a completely one-sided affair.
2011 World Cup:
India beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. Mahela Jayawardene's 103* took Sri Lanka to 274/6. Gautam Gambhir (97) and MS Dhoni (91*) starred as India won their second World Cup title.
2015 World Cup:
Australia beat India by 95 runs in the semi-final at Sydney. Steve Smith slammed 105 as Australia put up 328/7. India folded for 233 in reply as the hosts marched into the final.
2019 World Cup:
New Zealand beat India by 18 runs via DLS method in a thrilling semi-final at Manchester. Chasing 240 in 50 overs, India were 92/6 when rain arrived. India's campaign ended after a top-order collapse.
So in summary, India have reached the ODI World Cup final four times, winning twice (1983, 2011) and finishing runners-up twice (2003, 2015).
India are batting first in the 2023 World Cup final
Speaking of the 2023 World Cup final, India lost the toss and were sent into bat by Australia in Ahmedabad. The Men in Blue lost opener Shubman Gill for just 4 runs to Mitchell Starc.
Both sides have decided to go in with unchanged playing XIs for the summit clash.
India XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
Australia XI: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
India captain Rohit Sharma would have liked to bat second in a chase, but will now aim for a big total after being put in. The onus is on the top order of Rohit, Gill and Kohli to lay a solid platform.
India's middle order has been in good form with the likes of Iyer, Suryakumar and Rahul having made vital contributions. The team will need another collective batting effort to post a challenging total.
Jadeja's all-round ability lends balance and depth to the line-up. The in-form pace trio of Bumrah, Shami and Siraj will have to bowl well to defend whatever total India puts up.
Leg-spinner Yadav could prove tricky on the surface. How India's bowlers handle the likes of Warner, Smith, Maxwell and Labuschagne will be crucial.
This promises to be an exciting contest between two evenly-matched teams. India have the chance to lift the World Cup trophy for the third time in front of a packed home crowd. But Australia are always competitive and won't be easy to beat.
