On the evening of November 19, 2023, Australia’s Travis Head confirmed nice character to attain a century in a World Cup last towards India at their house which ultimately helped his nation win it is sixth World title within the historical past of cricket. Australia broke one million hearts of Indian cricket followers who have been hoping the Men in Blue will win it is third World Cup title given the shape they have been in that match. It was a surprising outcome for Indian followers because the hosts have been unbeaten earlier than the ultimate towards Australia within the 2023 ODI World Cup.
India’s golden boy, Neeraj Chopra who received the gold medal at Tokyo Olympics was additionally current at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium that evening and he shared his views and expertise on watching the World Cup last between Australia and India.
“This was the first time I watched a match fully. When I was on the flight, India had lost three wickets already. Virat (Kohli) bhai and KL Rahul were batting when I reached. There are some technical things that I don’t understand. Batting in the daytime wasn’t very easy. In the evening, I think, batting became easy. But our guys tried. Sometimes, it’s just not our day. But, frankly, everyone had a great tournament. Maybe, somewhere mentally, the Australian team held an edge at the start. When they bowled, I found they had a strong mindset. In the end, they had completely flipped it over. They were confident about their game,” mentioned Neeraj Chopra on India’s loss within the last towards Australia to Indian Express.
While the broadcasters confirmed a bunch of celebrities from Bollywood and different movie industries of the nation who attended the sport on the massive display on the floor and on TV, Neeraj was not even proven as soon as. The digital camera on the floor did not recognise or spot India’s most adorned sportsperson within the final 5 years.
The 25-year-old has now reacted to the snub by the cameramen on the stadium. In an interview with the Indian Express, Neeraj spoke on how he felt when the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Ranveer Singh have been constantly proven within the huge display and he was not. As anticipated, Neeraj got here up with a really Neeraj-like response, saying that he does assume an excessive amount of about these items. However, Neeraj mentioned, not displaying his matches on TV troubles him. (Neeraj Chopra Reacts To Broadcasters Not Showing Him On Big Screen Or TV During World Cup Final, Says ‘I Want Them To…’)
“I want them to show me when I compete. When I participate in the Diamond League they don’t telecast it properly. Woh cheez hai asli (that’s the real deal). At that time, they only show highlights. I went to Ahmedabad just to watch the match and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would have obviously enjoyed it more had India won, but I had a good time in the stands. I never wanted the camera to pan towards me, that thought didn’t even cross my head,” mentioned Neeraj.
Head hit an outstanding 137 off 120 balls to ease Australian nerves after a top-order wobble earlier than they romped house in a contest that by no means reached nice heights. Australia entered the match as clear underdogs towards an all-conquering India aspect, who had received 10 matches in a row to storm into the ultimate.
And if their model of fearless cricket was not intimidating sufficient, Rohit Sharma’s crew have been additionally assured of vociferous help from predominantly Indian followers on the world’s largest cricket stadium.
The stars appeared to have aligned for India to win the match and finish a worldwide title drought stretching again to the 2012 Champions Trophy.
After all, the Australia crew underneath Pat Cummins, who started their marketing campaign with back-to-back defeats, lacked the aura of the Ricky Ponting-led aspect who had steamrollered India within the 2003 last.
Cummins raised a couple of eyebrows in his pre-match press convention the place he expressed his need to silence the ocean of Indian followers on the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium.
His crew mates took on the duty on Sunday and deathly silence prevailed on the 132,000 capability floor for a serious a part of the match that ended with Australia comfortably prevailing.
Cummins led by instance, taking the daring determination to subject after successful the toss, which entailed the tough job of chasing underneath lights.
India’s batting template within the match had skipper Rohit Sharma setting the tone with unbridled aggression on the high and Virat Kohli enjoying the anchor with others batting round them.
They caught to the components within the last however Australia’s immaculate bowling, aided by sharp fielding, annoyed India when it mattered probably the most.
Head took a shocking catch to dismiss Rohit for 47 and player-of-the-tournament Kohli chopped a supply onto his stumps to depart after a fluent 54.
KL Rahul made 66 however it was a exceptional job by the Australian bowlers to limit India to 240 all out in precisely 50 overs.
Australia slumped to 47-3 seven overs into what ought to have been a straightforward chase earlier than Head mixed in an epic stand of 192 with Marnus Labuschagne to kill off the competition.
Australia’s triumph snapped the pattern of a bunch nation successful the title that had held because the 2011 version and adopted their current victory within the World Test Championship and retaining the Ashes towards England. (With Reuters inputs)
