Australia will be playing against Indian in the final of the World Cup 2023 (Source: AP Photos)
After six weeks of intensive competition, we have narrowed it down to the two final contenders for the 2023 World Cup. After 20 years, the two teams that clashed in 2003 will face again on the same stage. India and Australia are scheduled to square off in the main event colossal of the Cricket World Cup, which will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Before we go into the anticipated Predicted XI, let us quickly go over the journeys of both teams.
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India
India has been absolutely dominant in the World Cup 2023. They are on a ten-match streak of victories and will want to extend it to eleven. India garnered 397 runs in their semi-final match against New Zealand, thanks to top-five dominance that included tonnes from Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer. The Kiwis tested the Indian bowlers with an 181-run third-wicket stand between Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson. However, Shami's brilliance, together with the other bowlers, outperformed the Black Caps, and they ultimately fell short.
The Indian team began the campaign against their next opponent, Australia. The Men in Blue were reduced to 2-3 in a couple of overs while chasing 200 runs. A 165-run stand between KL Rahul and Kohli, on the other hand, helped them withstand the Aussie attack. It was quickly followed by resounding triumphs over Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The Men in Blue dominated England, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the Netherlands in the final four league games.
Australia
The Australian team did not start well in the World Cup. They were eclipsed by two formidable opponents, India and South Africa at the start of the mega-event. However, Australia replied in grand fashion, as it always does in significant events. Since then, the Pat Cummins-led club has won eight straight games.
The Kangaroos saw peaks and valleys in their most recent semi-final match against South Africa. After losing four early wickets on the back of a David Miller's extraordinary century, the Temba Bavuma-led side recovered and managed to get 212 runs. Despite repeated tremors in the chase, the Aussies managed to cross the finish line with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc clutching their hands.
Here's the predicted XI of Australia against India for the finale.
Openers: David Warner and Travis Head
The exciting starting combo for the Australians is David Warner and Travis Head. They had a great starting combination against the Kiwis, with Warner and Head both scoring hundreds. They also gave a good start to the team against South Africa in the semi-final and set the tone for the chase. Their aggressive temperament may force new ball bowlers to take a back seat.
Warner has scored 528 runs in ten innings, including two spectacular hundreds and as many fifties. He is Australia's highest run-scorer in the event and has been in tremendous touch to the team. Warner and Head loves the big occasions and could be a threat to the indian bowlers.
Middle Order: Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis
Based on Head's availability, Mitchell Marsh has shifted in the top three for Australia in recent times. But now that Head has returned to the XI, Marsh is their number three. In such a case, Steve Smith comes second down with Marnus Labuschagne to follow at no. 5.
Marsh has scored over 400 runs in the World Cup and is the Australian team's second-highest run-scorer. He hit 177* off 132 balls against Bangladesh during the league stages, and he also hit a century previously against Pakistan. If Marsh gets going, he's more like an unstoppable force.
Steve Smith is improving all the time. He missed a game due to vertigo problems a few days before, but he came back strong against Bangladesh. Smudge has 298 runs in nine innings, including four forty-plus runs. He had a rocky start to the season, but he has three forty-plus scores in his last four innings.
Smith and Labuschagne form the integral part of the middle order and in case of early collapses, they'll be in charge of the rescue job.
Josh Inglis will be the wicketkeeper for Ausytalia. He looked one of the most cleanest players against spin in the semi-final against South Africa. The former performed admirably with the gloves behind the stumps. He is also a good batter who can adjust to different conditions.
All-rounder: Glenn Maxwell
Maxwell recorded the World Cup 2023's first double century against Afghanistan. Despite body cramps, the all-rounder bludgeoned a double tonne from a position of 91-7. He made certain that Australia crossed the finish line and played an unforgettable ODI innings. Maxwell will be a key all-rounder for Australia and will look to assist their bowling department during the middle overs.
Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, and Josh Hazlewood
The Australians have a predetermined bowling assault that includes three pacers and a single spinner in Adam Zampa. Since a couple of early setbacks, the wrist spinner has improved the team's spirits. He has scalped 22 wickets from ten innings, including two three-fers and three four-fours.
The pace batter will be oozing out in confidence after impressive performance against Proteas in the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc ripped off the South African top order early and gave a great start to the team. The former has pocketed 14 wickets while Starc and skipper Pat Cummins have snapped 13 wickets from 10 games.
Australia Predicted XI against India
David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Adam Zampa, and Josh Hazlewood.
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