10 reasons why India lost World Cup 2023 final against Australia: Mismatched tactics, middle-order collapse and more
World Cup. Many members of the present team are likely not to be part of India’s squad in 2027. As India still recovers from the heartbreak, let’s have a look at the reasons why the Men in Blue fell short of their Australian counterparts.
The pitch in Ahmedabad, slower and drier than expected, played a crucial role. India's strategy didn't adapt well, especially in the second innings when the pitch conditions changed, failing to leverage the slower nature in their favour. The Australian team's planning and execution were spot on.
They maintained composure even after India's initial surge, with captain Pat Cummins making strategic bowling changes that kept the Indian batters in check. After a promising start, India struggled to find boundaries. The sharp decline in boundary scoring after the first 10 overs significantly hampered the run rate, making the target of 241 runs seem inadequate.
India's inability to build substantial partnerships was evident. Apart from a single half-century stand between Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, there were no significant collaborations, limiting India's total. India's middle order, usually highly reliable, faltered at a critical juncture.
Key players like Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav couldn't contribute significantly, and KL Rahul's slow-paced innings added to the woes. The final's slow wicket, which drew criticism from experts, seemed to work against India. Australia's decision to bowl first capitalised on the pitch's evolving nature, which became more batting-friendly as the game progressed.
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