The hopes of over a billion Indian fans suffered early setbacks in the ODI World Cup final against rivals Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Asked to bat first after losing a crucial toss, India's start went from bad to worse in the first hour of play.
Shubman Gill, the young opener who had announced himself on the world stage with a match-winning ton in the semifinal, fell for just 4 runs off 7 balls. The Australians kept up the pressure and India slipped to 22/1 in 4 overs when captain Rohit Sharma walked in.
Known for his aggression, the Hitman took the attack to the Aussies. He cleared the boundary twice in one over from Glenn Maxwell en route to a typically belligerent 47 off just 30 balls. But just when it looked like he would take the game away, Rohit fell against the run of play. Attempting to go over long-on, he miscued the stroke and holed out with India at 81/2.
The situation worsened when Ross Taylor trapped Shreyas Iyer lbw for 4. At 81/3 in the 11th over, it was advantage Australia. But that's when the composure and class of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul came to the fore. The two seasoned campaigners steadied the ship with a cautious partnership, pushing the score to 104/3 after 17 overs.
For Kohli, the task in the title clash was simple - play the anchor role he has made his own over the years and lay the platform for a late assault. Coming into the final as the tournament's leading run-getter with over 700 runs, the 35-year-old batted with characteristic grace and solidity. He pierced the gaps for singles and twos, while punishing the rare loose ball.
At the other end, Rahul offered solid support in a partnership that was a throwback to the duo's exploits over the years. By knocking the ball into gaps and rotating strike, India's batting mainstays rebuilt the innings brick-by-brick even as the Aussies probed with their fearsome pace attack.
But Kohli and Rahul were up to the task, nullifying the threat posed by Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood. They saw off the new ball and then began to open up. The boundaries started to flow - Rahul caressed Hazlewood through the covers before Kohli's signature cover drive bore fruit.
As the innings approached the halfway mark, India were back on course at 157/3 thanks to an unbroken 76-run stand. But there was no time for complacency - the Australians are always dangerous. For India, the platform was set for a late surge towards a competitive total with seven wickets still in hand.
An Indian victory today will lift the trophy for the third time, tying Australia's record. But Kohli knows that for his legacy, winning a second World Cup as captain will taste even sweeter. Once again, the Master is leading India's charge when it matters most.
