ICC World Cup Final 2023: Australia break India's heart and 10-match winning run to lift title for sixth time

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India's 10-match unbeaten run and dreams of winning ICC World Cup 2023 came crashing down in a lopsided loss to Australia, who thrashed the hosts by six wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in the presence of the Prime Minister himself.

While the result has sent the cricket-mad country into mourning, Australia renewed the World record of winning the title for the sixth time since winning their first World Cup in 1987. Travis Head was the star of the match with a big knock of 137 after bowlers and fielders inspired in the first innings.

Put into bat, India ended up with a below-par 240 despite contributions from Rohit Sharma (47 off 31 balls), Virat Kohli (54 off 63) and K L Rahul (66 off 107). Just like his performance in the WTC final against India in June, Travis Head made a match-winning 137 off 120 balls as Australia chased down the target in 43 overs.

Indian hopes were raised when Australia lost three wickets for 47 but a 192-run partnership between Head and Marnus Labuschagne (58 not out) shut the door on the opposition. Australia's brilliant bowling and fielding also went a long way in their emphatic win. The dew in the evening also made batting easier on a slow and dry surface.

India, who were the only unbeaten side going into the final after 10 wins on the trot, fell flat in the final hurdle. Their last world title came way back in 2011 and their last ICC trophy was the Champions Trophy triumph in 2013.

India's defeats in the ICC events over the past decade include the loss in 2014 World T20 final, 2016 World T20 semifinal, 2017 Champions Trophy final, 2019 ODI World Cup semifinal, 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal and back-to-back runners-up finish in the 2021 and 2023 World Test Championship cycle.

Brief scores: India: 240 all out in 50 overs (KL Rahul 66, Virat Kohli 54; Mitchell Starc 3/55). Australia 241/4 in 43 overs (Travis Head 137, Marnus Labuschagne 58 not out; Jasprit Bumrah 2/43).

With inputs from PTI