‘It will be tough…’ Sourav Ganguly discusses India's prospects of defeating Aussies in the WC final

Just when many anticipated that Team India’s unbeaten run would end against New Zealand in the semifinals on Wednesday, the Indian cricket team performed brilliantly in the semi-finals of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Rohit Sharma's team scored an incredible 397-4 in just fifty overs with great performances from the captain along with Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer. With relative ease in bowling by Mohammed Shami, Team India triumphed, knocking the opposition out for 327 runs in 48.5 overs. 

3 things you need to know 

• Mohammed Shami was named the Player of the Match against New Zealand 
• India beat New Zealand by 70 runs 
• India vs Australia ICC ODI World Cup final will be played on November 19, 2023

Also Read: CWC 2023 closing ceremony: Full lists of artists

Sourav Ganguly made a huge statement about the India vs Australia World Cup final 

Ex-BCCI president and former India captain Sourav Ganguly has backed the Rohit Sharma-led team to beat Australia in the forthcoming final. According to Ganguly, India's best chance of winning the World Cup 2023 final is to play in the same aggressive, attacking style that has defined their performance thus far. India and Australia will face off in the World Cup 2023 Final on November 19 in Ahmedabad. Talking to the reporters, Sourav Ganguley said: 

“India is looking smashing at the moment. I wish them all the best for Ahmedabad. India have played very well in the tournament, and just one match and Australia stand between them and the World Cup trophy. If India continue to play like how they have performed in the tournament so far, then it will be tough to stop them. It will be a good match as Australia have a good team as well,”

Also Read: 'IND holds edge in bowling department against AUS'

How have India and Australia performed in the World Cup so far? 

India won every game in the group stage and finished first with 18 points and a perfect record of nine wins. The best net run rate in the group stage was 2.570, which was theirs. In the semi-final match against New Zealand, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill made a great opening pair that set the stage for Virat Kohli's famous feat: he scored his 50th ODI century, passing Sachin Tendulkar. Even though New Zealand scored a great 327, with Daryl Mitchell's century helping them along, they were still 70 runs short as Mohammed Shami took 7 wickets.

Nevertheless, Australia had a difficult beginning. They were ranked lowest after losing their opening two games to South Africa and India. However, they bounced back, winning seven of their subsequent games to qualify with 14 points. Pat Cummins' squad, viewed as a slight being overlooked, started well in the rematch in the semi-finals against South Africa, bringing them down to 24/4. After David Miller scored a century, the Proteas had some hope, but Cummins and Mitchell Starc decisively defeated the opposition by three wickets, advancing Australia to the 2023 World Cup final.