As India prepares for the eagerly awaited 2023 World Cup final showdown against Australia, the team stands in a formidable position, strengthened by a combination of individual brilliance and collective strengths. The storyline of India’s path to the final revolves around the outstanding form of its batting lineup, the effectiveness of the bowling attack, and overall excellence on the field. Notably, India is the sole undefeated team in the World Cup to date, and Rohit Sharma’s squad aspires to conclude the tournament as the unbeaten champions when they face the formidable Australians in the title clash in Ahmedabad. However, there are still three glaring weaknesses in India’s playing 11 that could cost them the Cricket World Cup.
Inconsistent Performance by Siraj:
Mohammed Siraj, despite showcasing moments of brilliance, has encountered challenges maintaining consistency in the 2023 World Cup. While his impactful spell against Sri Lanka (3/16 in seven overs) played a pivotal role in a surprising batting collapse, he has struggled with conceding runs, as evident in the match against New Zealand, where he gave away 78 runs in 9 overs. Sporting a bowling average of 32.61, Siraj holds the highest average among Indian bowlers with 15 or more overs in the tournament, underscoring the need for greater stability in his performances.
Untested Lower Order in High-Pressure Scenarios:
Thanks to the remarkable resilience and stability displayed by our top-order, the lower order hasn’t faced challenging situations in this edition thus far. However, in a high-pressure match like the World Cup final, uncertainties arise. While India possesses resources to navigate troubles, players like Suryakumar Yadav (faced 77 deliveries in 6 matches) and Ravindra Jadeja (faced 96 deliveries in 10 matches) have had limited exposure, raising concerns about their readiness for pressure situations in the critical closing stages of the tournament. In the last match, Suryakumar batted in the final over, and Jadeja didn’t get a chance to bat.
Also read: Ashwin to Replace Siraj in IND vs AUS World Cup 2023 Final
Lack of Batting Depth:
The absence of Hardik Pandya has undeniably weakened India’s batting depth. The team has played with six batters in the past six matches, and while bowlers like Bumrah and Shami have some batting talent, their ability to play a supporting role at the crease remains uncertain. In contrast, Australia benefits from the all-round prowess of players like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. In the semi-final against South Africa, this duo forged a crucial unbeaten 22-run stand for victory. Cummins’ exceptional 68-ball unbeaten knock against Afghanistan showcased his resilience, aiding Australia in securing a memorable win amid a challenging situation where they had lost 7 wickets for just 91 in a 292-run chase.