World Cup 2023, Final | India Predicted XI vs Australia

image-lp3w3dxnIndia will be playing against Australian in the final of the World Cup 2023 (Source: AP Photos)

After six rigorous weeks of intense action, we are down to the two final contestants in the 2023 World Cup. The two teams that locked horns in 2003 will be meeting once again in the same stage after 20 years. India and Australia are all set to square off against one another in the grand finale of the Cricket World Cup with Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad as its epicentre. 

Let us quickly take you through the journey of both teams before diving into the predicted XI.


Australia

The Australian team did not get off to a good start in the World Cup. They were overshadowed by two strong forces, India and South Africa. However, Australia, being Australia, responded in style, as they always do in major events. Since then, the Pat Cummins-led team has gone on to win eight consecutive matches. Despite amassing 389 runs, they came very near to defeat against New Zealand. However, the Kangaroos were able to avoid the heavy rolling by a margin of five runs.

In their latest clash against South Africa in the semi-final, the Kangaroos saw thorough crest and troughs in the game. The Temba Bavuma-led unit did bounce back after losing four early wickets on the back of a David Miller special century. Despite constant trembles in the chase, the Aussies managed to go past the finishing line holding the hand of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. 

India

In the World Cup 2023, India have been completely dominant. They are on a ten-match winning streak and will be looking to make it eleven. In their recent game against New Zealand in the semi-final, India posted 397 runs on the back of top-five domination that included tons from Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer. The Kiwis forged a 181-run stand for the third wicket where Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson challenged the Indian bowlers. However, Shami's brilliance coupled with the other bowlers outclassed the Black Caps and they fell short in the end.

The Indian side initiated the tournament against their forthcoming opponents i.e. Australia. Chasing down 200 runs, the Men in Blue were pushed down to 2-3 in a couple of overs. However, a 165-run stand between KL Rahul and Kohli helped them survive the Aussie attack. It was followed by convincing victories over Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The last four games of the league stages saw the Men in Blue dominate England, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the Netherlands.

Now, let us have a quick look at the predicted XI of India against Australia


Openers: Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill

The Indian team looks solid with their openers clicking together on recent games. Shubman Gill seems to have found his groove back after suffering from dengue at the start of the competition. He scored 350 runs from eight innings with four fifties under his name. He did get cramps in the last game after losing muscle mass due to dengue. And therefore was retired hurt but came back later to bat.

Rohit Sharma has often given flying starts to the Indian team at the top of the order in World Cup 2023. He missed out a half-century against New Zealand in the last game but did give a rollicking start, pushing the Kiwi pacers on the back foot. Once again, the skipper’s role with the blade will be to set the tone for the innings. Hitman is also the second-highest run-scorer for India with 550 runs from ten innings.


Middle Order: Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav

The Indian middle order has been prolific from their first day in the World Cup itself. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli forged a 165-run stand to deny an Aussie win in Chennai in their curtain raiser. Rahul did miss out a century by three runs but ensured that the team goes past the finishing line.

Kohli has been in unreal touch with the bat in hand. The Delhi-based cricketer notched up his 49th ODI century in the Eden Gardens, Kolkata and his 50th ODI century against New Zealand in the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The living legend now holds the record for the most ODI tons surpassing the great Sachin Tendulkar.

Kohli has racked up 701 runs from ten innings with a mind-boggling average of 101.57 with the bat. Joining him in the middle on most occasions has been Shreyas Iyer. The Mumbaikar did not start off well in the World Cup but gradually found more runs off the bat. What's astonishing is that Iyer has stockpiled 392 runs and averages 130.67 from his last four innings.

India’s no.4 getting a lot of runs is certainly a great sign for the Asian Giants. But what about the no.6? Suryakumar Yadav did not get enough opportunity to face as many balls and get plenty of runs under his belt. The 360 degree player is in charge of the lower middle order and has to finish the job with the bat. He played some vital knocks against England and South Africa.


All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja

India’s premier all-rounder is their ‘royal navghan’, Ravindra Jadeja. He has been fabulous with his left-arm orthodox spin and has scored brisk runs when required. One of those occasions was against New Zealand in the league stages when he steered the side in a chase. The All-rounder has claimed 16 wickets from ten matches and has been a gunner in the field.


Bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj

India’s no.8 is one of the worst when it comes to batting. But no.8 is not always designated for batting. Mohammed Shami’s primary role is with the ball and he has changed the complexion of this Indian team with his bowling. Shami is arriving fresh off a seven-wicket haul against New Zealand. He has snapped 23 wickets from six matches that include two fifers, one seven-for, and one four-for.

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj generally start with the new ball for India and have claimed wickets against various teams. They have been brilliant inside the powerplay and have also picked wickets during the second and third powerplay. Siraj has not been at his very best but will be gearing up to showcase his potential at the grandest stage.

Kuldeep Yadav has been the extra cushion to this bowling unit. He has been brilliant with control, variation and areas. The left-arm wrist spinner is an attacking option for the Indian captain and has claimed 15 wickets from 10 matches.


India Predicted XI against Australia

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj.