As Team India failed to steer their luck to victory in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country stands with the team “today and always”.
He said that the ICC Men’s cricket team brought immense pride to the nation throughout the tournament. Australia defeated hosts India by six wickets to win their sixth ODI World Cup in Ahmedabad on Sunday. India were red-hot favourites to win the tournament after 10 successive victories as Australia grabbed the trophy for a sixth time.
“Dear Team India, Your talent and determination through the World Cup was noteworthy. You’ve played with great spirit and brought immense pride to the nation. We stand with you today and always,” PM Modi said on X, formerly Twitter.
ON AUSTRALIA’S VICTORY
Deeming the Aussie’s win in the World Cup as splendid, the prime minister also extended his wishes to Travis Head for his aggressive 137 score in the final match. The left-hander Head scored 137 runs off 120 balls with 15 fours and four sixes as Australia romped to their sixth World Cup title in men’s cricket.
“Congratulations to Australia on a magnificent World Cup victory! Theirs was a commendable performance through the tournament, culminating in a splendid triumph. Compliments to Travis Head for his remarkable game today,” PM Modi tweeted.
The prime minister arrived at Narendra Modi Stadium and joined the crowd of over a lakh amid an adrenaline-gushing wave at the stadium as Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head celebrated their 100-run partnership, realising the 241 chase by India.
The Men in Blue succumbed to a 6-wicket defeat at the hands of Australia in the final match in Ahmedabad.
The atmosphere at the stadium was electric as the floodlights took charge after India had posted 240 on the board in their quota of 0 overs. Australia’s opening batter Travis Head became the seventh batter to a hundred in the World Cup final. The southpaw achieved the feat in the match against Rohit Sharma’s India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
2023 WORLD CUP TITLE IS AUSTRALIA’S
Australia won their first World Cup in 1987 and then followed it up with three successive titles in 1999, 2003 and 2007. After losing the quarterfinal in 2011 to eventual champions India, Australia bounced back to win the World Cup at home in 2015.
In 2023, Australia lost their first two matches to India and South Africa but since then won 9 successive matches to complete one of their most memorable World Cup campaigns.
After defeating all its competitions, India reached the finals of the ICC World Cup 2023 to face Australia, which had lost only two games so far — against India (by six wickets) and South Africa (by 34 runs).