As cricket fans across the globe tuned into the grand spectacle of the Cricket World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Indian captain Rohit Sharma did not disappoint, delivering yet another fast-paced performance against the Australian cricket team. Rohit Sharma exemplified his batting prowess with a captivating 31-ball 47 that included four boundary fours and three maximum sixes. However, his striking innings was cut short by Glenn Maxwell’s bowling in the 10th over.
Nevertheless, it was not just any knock. With his latest performance, Rohit Sharma made history by becoming the highest-scoring captain in a single World Cup edition with a total of 597 runs in 11 matches. Breaking Kane Williamson’s previous record of 578 runs set in 2019, Sharma’s achievement has set a new benchmark for skippers at the global tournament. The leaderboard for the highest runs by captains in a World Cup now reads:
597 – Rohit Sharma (IND) in 2023
578 – Kane Williamson (NZ) in 2019
548 – Mahela Jayawardene (SL) in 2007
539 – Ricky Ponting (AUS) in 2003
509 – Aaron Finch (AUS) in 2019
Virat Kohli, another pillar of the Indian batting lineup, hit the first fifty of the World Cup final, before being claimed by Australia’s captain Pat Cummins. It took Kohli 56 balls to achieve the half-century, a relatively restrained innings by his explosive standards, with just four boundaries.
Kohli commenced the match as the leading run-scorer in the tournament, and he lived up to the anticipation by scoring a record-breaking 50th one-day international century during India’s 70-run triumph in the semi-final against New Zealand. With this, Kohli also eclipsed the hallowed tally of 49 centuries held by the iconic Sachin Tendulkar, another milestone for a player already considered one of the greats.
India’s journey to the World Cup final has been a flawless campaign, remaining unbeaten through 10 games, showing adaptability by successfully chasing in half of those encounters, while skillfully defending totals in the remaining fixtures.
In contrast, the Australian contingent faced an early setback in the tournament, enduring two consecutive losses. However, displaying resilience and determination that is often synonymous with Australian cricket, the team bounced back to win eight consecutive matches, a streak that earned them a place in the coveted final.
As the cricketing world awaited the outcome of the clash of these titans, India aimed to secure their third World Cup title. Australia, rich in their World Cup pedigree, was not far behind in their aspiration to clinch a sixth World Cup trophy.
The anticipation, the excitement, and the love for cricket continued to peak as fans across the globe turned to various platforms and apps to get the latest updates, listen to cricket-themed songs, and support their teams with fervent enthusiasm.
The stage was set for a historic encounter, and while the players battled it out on the field, the spirit of cricket was celebrated in every corner of the world. As the dust settled, the narratives that emerged from this final would be etched in cricketing folklore for years to come. The world watched with bated breath as the spectacle of the Cricket World Cup final unfolded, marking another chapter in this rich history of the sport.
[Note: This news report is based on ANI inputs and captures the events and statistics leading up to the World Cup final of 2023 featuring India and Australia and some key performances by players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.]