Skill was pretty much the theme for the first half of the ODI World Cup final. Skill from Rohit Sharma, who reprised his heroics of the entire competition with another pulsating knock. And skill from his opposite number Pat Cummins whose field placings and bowling changes paid off.
Cricket World Cup India vs Australia: Although the moment was not telecast live on televisions and streaming devices, it did spark a discussion on social media.
While thousands of fans moving towards the 1.32 lakh capacity stadium were already dressed in the blue jerseys of the Indian cricket team, others were seen making last minute purchases from vendors dotting the roads leading to the venue.
Cricket World Cup: In 2003, Australia seemed to be at an advantage after having been unbeaten in all group-stage matches, while this year India has the same advantage.
The Surya Kiran team pilots, a part of the 52nd Squadron of the Indian Air Force, produced a 10-minute show before the toss at the Narendra Modi Stadium, which has a capacity of more than 1,30,000.
Rohit Sharma said he would have opted to bat first had he won the toss. "I'd have batted first, it looks a good pitch, it's a big game, let's put runs on the board," said the Indian captain as the crowd roared.
The prime minister and Australian Deputy PM Richard Marles will watch the final.
India have won all 10 games as they bid for a third World Cup title and second on home soil, however, if any side can stop the India juggernaut then Australia -- aiming for a record-extending sixth World Cup crown -- could be that team.
IND vs AUS World Cup Final: As millions wait in anticipation to watch the crucial match either at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad or on their devices, this declaration from Anand Mahindra might sound odd, but for him, this 'sacrifice' would be his 'service to the nation'.
ODI World Cup 2023 IND vs AUS final: Indians prided themselves on being good hosts. Let this be seen in the stadium.
Fans organised special prayers across the country for an India win, media reports said, holding Hindu ceremonies asking for victory. Ahmedabad buzzed with excitement and anticipation, with life-size posters of Indian heroes including Virat Kohli up at local shops.
Sharma stressed the importance of keeping calm and staying true to the nonchalant approach that India began their campaign with against Australia in Chennai.
At least 70,000 or more fans who have tickets aren’t the locals and have flown in from different parts of India and a few thousand are NRIs from the UK, US, Australia, Canada, and Singapore, who have spent a bomb for a cricket vacation
Virat Kohli goes into the game as the tournament's leading batsman with 711 runs and has set a new record of 50 ODI hundreds in a 70-run semi-final win over New Zealand in Mumbai.
Cricket World Cup final: Hotstar also offers a new MaxView format for mobile users which allows them to watch the live cricketing action in a vertical format.
Police formed a multi-layered security ring around the stadium, readying for not only 130,000 fans at the venue, but also tens of thousands more packing the streets if -- as the fans dream -- India wins.
Commentators say the prime minister has tried to co-opt cricket, turning it into a powerful political tool to bowl out political opponents by piggy-backing on the popular appeal of the game.
Indian cricket team has been on a roll. Winning 10 out of 10 games before the final is unprecedented and now they are just on the cusp of something extraordinary.
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.
Fans believe that this Indian team can win against all odds, like they did in their opening match against the same opponents, Australia, in Chennai. After being reduced to two runs for three wickets, India bounced back through Kohli and KL Rahul’s heroics to win by six wickets
Rohit Sharma and senior pro Virat Kohli are staring at history with 1.4 billion people behind Team India against five-time champion Australia in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Deputy PM Richard Marles will be among the key personalities who are expected to attend the ICC Cricket World Cup grand finale.
ICC ODI World Cup 2023: Addressing the press ahead of the match against Australia on Sunday, Rohit Sharma said that the team knew how to handle the pressure that would accompany the players.
ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Final: The two heavyweights of world cricket will lock horns at the Narendra Modi Stadium today as Rohit Sharma's India and Pat Cummins' Australia will battle for the biggest prize in ODI cricket.
Team India breezed through to the final with a victory over New Zealand, having won all 10 matches in the tournament so far.
