ICC World Cup Final 2023: Explained - Why Rohit Sharma used spinners before Mohammed Siraj?

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India's ICC World Cup 2023 dreams came down shattering at the last hurdle with five-time champions Australia humbling the hosts with their performance in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday (November 19).

Rohit Sharma had a field day as a captain as his decisions came under the scanner time and again, including his decision to use seamer Mohammed Siraj for the first time in the 16th over. While using Mohammad Shami with the new ball instead of Siraj is a discussion for later, questions were asked when spinners were asked to bowl ahead of the new ball specialist.

The captain decided to use both his specialist spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav from either ends right after the first powerplay. The spin duo failed to pick wickets as well but the urgency was understood with the dew factor coming into play.

In fact, the dew factor was considered by Australian skipper Pat Cummins at the toss too as the all-rounder predicted it to set in the second innings while they planned to make the most of the dry nature of the Ahmedabad pitch.

It turned out to be the factor as Australian pacers and fielders stranglehold in-form Indian batters with their consolidated efforts, halting Indian innings at 240/9 in 50 overs. In response, Australia had early hiccups with the new ball as Jasprit Bumrah and Shami took early wickets. However, Travis Head's aggressive century, coupled with Marnus Labuschagne's gritty anchor knock from the other end, powered Aussies to a one-sided win.

Rohit Sharma missed a trick or two on the day as the captain said right after the toss that he would have preferred batting first on the pitch, which means India would have batted first irrespective of the result of the toss. His decision to use Mohammad Shami with the new ball was doubted by Dinesh Karthik fell Shami does the damage as the second change.

"Shami with a semi-new ball bowling first-change when the ball swings less is more potent as he is basically a seam bowler who gets swing. Has more control then. Now he is trying too hard to get wickets and that's why he has not looked as threatening as he has been, despite the wicket. Shami was looking to do too much," said DK while doing commentary for the official broadcasters.