NEW DELHI: As the cricketing world gears up for the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, former Australian fast-bowler Jason Gillespie, a key member of the 2003 World Cup-winning team, believes that Australia is hitting its stride at the perfect moment. Gillespie expressed his views ahead of the highly anticipated final against India, scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
Australia, five-time World Cup champions, have had a remarkable journey in the current edition, overcoming initial setbacks against South Africa and India. The team, led by Pat Cummins, enters the final on the back of an impressive eight-match unbeaten streak.
Gillespie, drawing from his experience as a World Cup winner, shared his insights, saying, "Australia are peaking at the right time. India, whilst favourites, have all the expectation on them. They will be nervous. All the expectation is on India. It's their World Cup to lose."
The veteran fast-bowler emphasised the significance of the upcoming final for Australia, stating, "This would mean the world to Australia - no one has really given Australia a chance to win this World Cup."
1/9:Day of destiny for India in World Cup final against Australia
ANI
2/9:India vs Australia: Clash of Titans
India will carry the hopes of billions of fans in the cricket crazy country and beyond when the unbeaten hosts face Australia in Sunday's World Cup final in Ahmedabad.PTI
3/9:Narendra Modi stadium: The grand venue
A showpiece match at the 130,000 capacity Narendra Modi stadium will also feature a pre-match fly-past by the Indian Air Force as well as choreographed displays featuring dozens of dancers and light shows during the innings breaks.PTI
4/9:Virat Kohli: Leading batter of the tournament
Virat Kohli goes into the game as the tournament's leading batsman with 711 runs and having set a new record of 50 ODI hundreds in a 70-run semi-final win over New Zealand in Mumbai.Reuters
5/9:India's quest for a third World Cup title
Unbeaten hosts India have won 10 games in a row on their way to the finish of the tournament as they seek a third World Cup title to follow their stunning victory over the West Indies in a 1983 final at Lord's and a 2011 home triumph sealed with victory against Sri Lanka in Mumbai.AFP
6/9:Can India handle the pressure?
India captain Rohit Sharma: "We know how it is outside the environment that we have -- the expectations, and the pressure, and the criticism, and everything. Not many have played the finals, but like I said, playing for India is as good as playing any World Cup game because there's so much pressure. There's so much expectation."IANS
7/9:Australia's pursuit of a sixth title
Australia are bidding for a record-extending sixth World Cup title, with Sunday's game their eighth appearance in the final.AFP
8/9:Australia's resilience in the tournament
Australia lost their opening two matches of the tournament. But they have since won eight games in a row and, worryingly for India, had their revenge over South Africa with a tense three wicket-win in a Kolkata semi-final.AFP
9/9:Mohammed Shami: India's trump card
Mohammed Shami tops the tournament bowling charts with 23 wickets at just 9.13 apiece, despite being left out of the side for the first four games.APReflecting on Australia's stellar 2023 campaign, which included victories in the World Test Championship final and retaining the Ashes, Gillespie sees the World Cup title as the icing on the cake for Cummins & Co.
Gillespie pointed to the pivotal role of Australia's pace duo, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, in the semi-final against South Africa. He expressed confidence that Australia can replicate that performance in the final against India, particularly emphasising the importance of the first 10 overs.
The former cricketer's insights provide an intriguing perspective on the final, setting the stage for a thrilling clash between two cricketing giants. As Australia seek an unprecedented sixth World Cup title, the pressure is on India, the favourites according to Gillespie, making it a showdown where the stakes are high and the excitement palpable.
(With inputs from IANS)
