India and Australia are set to clash in the ODI World Cup final once again, this time on Sunday, November 19, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
For any ’90s Indian kid, the heart-wrenching memory of Sourav Ganguly’s team’s defeat to Ricky Ponting’s Australia in the 2003 ODI World Cup final in Johannesburg is etched in pain. Fast forward a couple of decades, and now Rohit Sharma’s team has a shot at redemption against an Australian side that doesn’t seem as formidable as they were back in 2003.
In the quest for optimism, fans often seek parallels between situations. Surprisingly, there are quite a few striking resemblances between the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 final, set to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, November 19, and the showdown that unfolded 20 years ago in the Rainbow Nation.
The dominant team will be facing a consistent team
In 2003, Australia headed into the final with an impressive unbeaten run of 10 matches in the tournament. Now, it’s India’s turn, as they enter the championship clash boasting 10 consecutive victories.
Flashback to 2003, India faced a lopsided nine-wicket defeat against Australia after an initial win against the Netherlands. Undeterred, the ‘Men in Blue’ regrouped, storming through eight consecutive victories to reach the finals. This time around, Australia is mirroring that resilience, staging a strong comeback with eight consecutive wins after stumbling in their first two league games.
The annals of World Cup history reveal only two teams with a remarkable 10-match winning streak in a single edition. Australia achieved this feat in 2003 and 2007, clinching the title both times and extending their streak to 11 wins. Now, India stands as the second team with 10 wins in a single edition and has the chance to match the record of 11 wins if they emerge victorious on Sunday.
A Rahul as wicketkeeper for India
Intertwining a captivating storyline, Rahul steps into the makeshift wicketkeeper shoes, echoing the surprise move made by Rahul Dravid back in 2003. Dravid’s unexpected stint behind the stumps not only highlighted his exceptional wicket-keeping skills but also showcased his prowess with the bat. Now, in 2023, KL Rahul finds himself in a similar situation, taking on the wicketkeeping role in the absence of Rishabh Pant. Mirroring Dravid’s versatile contributions, Rahul delivers an outstanding performance, reminiscent of the cricket maestro’s multifaceted talents.
Seeking the third World Cup title
On Sunday, India has its sights set on clinching the ODI World Cup title for the third time. They previously secured this prestigious trophy in 1983 and 2011. Interestingly, Australia achieved their third title in 2003, emerging victorious in the 1987 and 1999 editions of the tournament.
Record-breaking highest run-getter
In 2003, Sachin Tendulkar made history by setting a new record for the highest number of runs scored by a batsman in a single edition of the ODI World Cup. The cricket legend concluded the tournament with an impressive tally of 673 runs in 11 matches, boasting an average of 61.18.
Fast forward to a remarkable moment in Mumbai during the semifinals against New Zealand, and Virat Kohli etched his name in the record books. Surpassing Tendulkar’s two-decade-old achievement, the former India captain notched up a phenomenal 711 runs in 10 games, maintaining a stellar average of 101.57.
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