India are all set to travel to Australia for a 5-match Test series the Border Gavaskar Trophy, starting from 22nd November. With less than a month to go in the first Test at WACA, Perth, Australian National Team captain Pat Cummins previewed the series and managed to rub salt in Rohit Sharma ‘s wound by reminding about Australia’s World Cup final win in 2023.
Pat Cummins and Australia stunned Rohit Sharma & Co when they beat India in the 2023 World Cup final in Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Cummins ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy highlighted the big tactical flaw which eventually cost India the World Cup trophy and handed Australia the advantage.
Pat Cummins rubs salt in Rohit Sharma’s wounds
Pat Cummins recently appeared on the Grade Cricketer’s podcast where he broke down the decision to bowl first in 2023 World Cup final. India were on a roll during the World Cup winning 10 straight games and batting oppositions out of the contest.
The consensus and logical thinking to beat India was if you win the toss, bat first. However, Pat Cummins surprised everyone when he opted to chase after the coin toss fell in his favour. As it turned out that decision paid dividends as India was caught off guard by the poor pitch, setting a meagre total of 240 to chase for Australia enroute a 6th World Cup crown.
Pat Cummins in the podcast, revealed that he doesn’t agree with the tactic of winning the toss and batting first.
“I don’t know where this logic comes from. I didn’t see any data. I am like, feels like every match I remember is won by the team batting second. We did in 2015, England did it in 2019, India won in 2011 batting 2nd in ODI, most T20 World Cups have been the same like we won,” said Pat Cummins in the podcast.
Cummins further revealed that in a high pressure game bowling first is more comfortable, “I quite like bowling. You make one mistake you get hit for a four, batter makes one mistake he’s gone. So I quite like that aspect”.
However, according to Cummins, the biggest reason why Australia chose to bowl first in the final was because it is easier to chase in the Narendra Modi stadium.
“I think we played England at the same venue (Ahmedabad), and we got like mid 200s. We bowled them out but they got like 220 or something. And I thought they batted pretty averagely, but the longer the game went on, the due was coming in and it was harder and harder to try and take wickets. And it felt easier and easier to bat. We did that toss for the back quarter of the game,” said Pat Cummins.
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As it turned out, Pat Cummins read the conditions to perfection and Australia dominated India in the final on their way to winning record extending 6th ODI World Cup.
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As for India and Rohit Sharma their dream of winning the ODI World Cup after 12 years was shattered. But Rohit Sharma & Co will have a shot at redemption in the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
India have came away with Test series wins in both of their last visits to Australia. Hence, Rohit Sharma would want to continue his side’s dominance ‘Down Under’.
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