India’s expedition in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 was defined by a splendid display of dominance and style, ultimately leading to a heartbreaking loss in the final against Australia. The team’s outstanding performances throughout the tournament highlighted their excellence, truly making it one of India’s most impressive World Cup campaigns.
Sanjay Manjrekar praised the Indian cricket team for their outstanding display in the recent ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, hailing them as the top ODI team currently, even though they fell short of clinching the title. Despite a defeat to Australia in the final in Ahmedabad on November 19, Manjrekar emphasized India’s remarkable performance throughout the tournament.
Australia won the toss and elected to field, putting India in to bat. Despite KL Rahul and Virat Kohli scoring fifties and Rohit Sharma contributing 47, India could only muster a total of 240 runs. In reply, Australia faced a challenging situation at 47/3, but a remarkable comeback ensued with Travis Head’s impressive 137 and Marnus Labuschagne’s unbeaten 58, forging a crucial 192-run partnership. Ultimately, Australia secured victory by 6 wickets, claiming their sixth Cricket World Cup trophy.
“It’s six World Cup titles for Australia now. Next best are India and West Indies with two each. The big takeaway for me from Ahmedabad was how an unconvincing entrant into the final was able to reach true excellence when generally a stage like this gets most to fumble.
This unprecedented performance of Australia in this World Cup started even before the first ball was bowled. One of the most brilliant decisions you will see was taken at the toss, and I said this on the TV coverage the moment Pat Cummins said we will field first,” Sanjay Manjrekar wrote in Hindustan Times.
Sanjay Manjrekar believed that India’s defeat in the Cricket World Cup final was significantly influenced by the fact that they lost the toss.
“India losing the toss, for me was a huge factor, all of us who saw the pitch before the match felt that it just gave the weaker team, Australia, more ammunition. The rough surface meant the ball moved off the seam a little and also didn’t skid onto the bat in the afternoon. That phenomenon took care of Shreyas Iyer. The reverse swing got KL Rahul.
India’s final hope Surya also could not produce his T20 magic, because of the sluggishness of the pitch, so it was impossible for India to recover after losing early wickets,” Manjrekar added.
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Despite the setbacks and the disappointment of losing in the final, Manjrekar maintains his belief that India remains the top ODI team globally.
“To put it simply, the 10/10 India was beaten by the conditions first and then by a team who when it mattered, had individuals who dug deep to find the champion within. I believe India is still the best 50 overs team in the world, just that they don’t have the World Cup to show for it,” he concluded.
