As the cricketing world braces for the grand finale of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, all eyes are set on the historic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where either India or Australia will etch their names in the cricketing history. Scheduled for Sunday, November 19, this clash promises to be a blockbuster at the world’s largest cricket stadium.
Also Read: Cricketing Chronicles: India vs Australia World Cup Final Factoids
Both India and Australia have demonstrated exceptional consistency throughout the tournament, setting the stage for a nail-biting encounter. India, boasting a perfect record with 10 wins in as many games, enters the final with confidence. However, the Men in Blue face a challenge in Ahmedabad, where their ODI track record includes 11 wins and 8 losses out of 19 matches, yielding a win percentage of 57.89.
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, renowned for its size and spectacle, is expected to favour batsmen in the upcoming final. While bowlers with good lines and lengths can still make an impact, the pitch tends to offer more assistance to batsmen, particularly in the second innings. Despite no indication of rain, the conditions might see fast bowlers extracting movement under lights, making it imperative for teams to strategize effectively.
Reviewing the historical ODI records at this venue unveils some intriguing statistics. In 30 matches played, teams batting first and second have each emerged victorious 15 times, reflecting a balanced contest. Notably, the highest individual score at the stadium is 152*, achieved by Devon Conway (NZ) against England in 2023, while the best bowling figures stand at 4/12 by Prasidh Krishna (IND) against West Indies in 2022.
The pitch report suggests that the same strip used in the encounter between India and Pakistan earlier in the tournament will be in play for the final. India comfortably chased down Pakistan’s 192-run target in that game, showcasing the pitch’s favorability for batsmen. Spinners have been crucial on this surface in the 2023 World Cup, claiming 22 wickets at an impressive economy of 4.89 runs per over, compared to pacers who have taken 35 wickets.
In the most recent ODI at the Narendra Modi Stadium, South Africa triumphed over Afghanistan in a closely contested match. Chasing 245 for victory, South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen played a pivotal role with an unbeaten 76*, steering his team to a five-wicket win.
As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the showdown between India and Australia, the pitch conditions and historical data suggest an exciting contest between bat and ball. The exact pitch report for the final will be telecasted live a few minutes before the toss, adding an element of anticipation to this already thrilling encounter.
