The Indian cricket team’s journey in the 2023 World Cup has been nothing short of exceptional. From batting prowess to bowling finesse, the Indian players have showcased remarkable performances across every facet of the game. Notably, every member of Team India’s playing XI has contributed significantly, setting the stage for a formidable contest against Australia in the World Cup final. However, there remain instances where the Indian team might face challenges against the Australian side.
The depth in batting has been a significant highlight for Team India in the last six matches. The top seven batsmen have displayed splendid form, yet there’s a slight dip in performance beyond this core group.
While Bumrah exhibited glimpses of brilliance with the bat in sporadic matches, the expectations from Kuldeep, Shami, and Siraj in terms of batting contributions remain limited. In contrast, Australia boasts depth in their batting lineup, stretching their prowess down to the ninth position.
Players like Michael Stark, batting at number nine, have steered the Kangaroos to victory on numerous occasions, even clinching triumphs against South Africa with contributions from their eighth and ninth batsmen in the semi-final match.
The sixth and seventh batting positions have become crucial in determining Team India’s success in the tournament. The absence of substantial opportunities for Suryakumar Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja in showcasing their batting skills could potentially create pressure if their turn comes in the final. In recent matches, Surya, possibly due to this pressure, returned to the pavilion sooner than expected.
Mohammed Siraj, known for his impactful bowling performances in ODIs over the past couple of years, has shown a slight decline in form during this World Cup. While he continues to perform adequately, the disparity between him and Bumrah and Shami is evident. Although Siraj is delivering commendable performances, the pressure seems to affect his overall dynamism. This vulnerability might be exploited by the Kangaroo batsmen.
Fielding has been another area of concern for Team India in this tournament, with instances where they missed opportunities to save boundaries. As the final approaches, Team India must evade lapses in fielding. While Australia hasn’t displayed outstanding fielding throughout the tournament, they have progressively improved their defensive play in match after match.
