Bizarre 2003 similarities make India favourites in World Cup final vs Australia
The cricketing world is fond of seeking analogies to add a spice of intrigue and make the case for their chosen team more compelling, especially in major events and especially when they reach the final. Fans frequently engage in drawing parallels from previous events of either grandeur, to demonstrate that history will repeat itself, or dejection, to build a case for retribution, both of which create a sense of déjà vu. And, bizarrely, the indian cricket team, which reached the 2023 world cup final, finds itself intertwined in both circumstances as it prepares to face australia in the summit game in ahmedabad on Sunday.
With australia ready to face india in the major final at the narendra modi Stadium, an eerie resemblance between the two teams' performances in the 2003 world cup competition was seen. However, there is a tiny twist in the story that points to india as the likely frontrunner to win the elusive prize.
Rohit Sharma's india = Ricky Ponting's Australia
With australia ready to face india in the major final at the narendra modi Stadium, an eerie resemblance between the two teams' performances in the 2003 world cup competition was seen. However, there is a tiny twist in the story that points to india as the likely frontrunner to win the elusive prize.
Rohit Sharma's india = Ricky Ponting's Australia
Only two teams in world cup history have accomplished a 10-game winning run in a single tournament. Australia's 2003 and 2007 squads, both coached by the famous Ponting, became the first to achieve it en route to winning the trophy in both years, giving them 11 in a row. In the 2023 world cup, Rohit Sharma-led india demonstrated similar dominance, winning 10 straight matches, including an unbeaten run in the league stage followed by a semifinal victory against New Zealand. india is currently one win or title away from equaling Australia's 2003 record.
Australia's run similar to India's 2003
Two decades ago, Team india, captained by Sourav Ganguly, faltered early in their campaign. Following a win against the Netherlands, they fell to the Aussies before going on an eight-match winning streak to reach the final. In 2023, Pat Cummins and his team suffered back-to-back losses at the start of the tournament, falling to india and then South Africa, before winning their final eight games, including the semifinal against South Africa.
The rahul connection
Rahul was a makeshift wicketkeeper for both the 2003 and 2023 indian teams. Dravid took up the job 20 years ago, and he shocked many with his glovework while also succeeding with the bat, scoring 318 runs in 11 games. KL rahul, who considers Dravid to be his inspiration, has been named captain of india in 2023. With rishabh pant out of action since the start of the calendar year due to an injury, rahul took over behind the wickets and has been outstanding, particularly with DRS calls. He has also scored 386 runs in 10 matches, including a century.
India too looking for a third as well
Australia won their third world cup in 2003, defeating India. They previously triumphed in 1987 and 1999. They went on to win again in 2007 and 2015. india will be attempting to capture their third trophy on Sunday, following victories in 1983 and 2011.
Sachin then, kohli now
Sachin then, kohli now
An indian hitter dominated the world cup run-scoring table in both tournaments. sachin tendulkar established the record for the most runs ever scored in a single edition of the event in 2003, smashing 673 runs in 11 games. kohli is the top run-scorer in this competition 20 years later, breaking Sachin's long-standing record of 711 runs in 10 matches.