Three mornings after the forehead-slapping anguish of Indian fans seeing their team lose the 2023 ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad to Australia, it's time to look back at cricket's premier show. What was great and what could be better?
MINIMISE THE IMPACT OF THE TOSS
When the final is to be played at a venue where four out of five results have favoured the team batting second under lights, then it's a problem. Australia were the only side to win a game batting first at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in this tournament. That was a narrow win on 4 November against England, who were far from their best. No wonder the Aussie skipper, Pat Cummins, leapt at the chance to bowl first in the final against India.
The underprepared, patchy pitch on 19 November was even more skewed against the team batting first. The sorry spectacle of Suryakumar Yadav trying in vain to swat off-cutter off-pace bouncers like pesky flies illustrated this difficulty.
India's new ball bowlers did get swing and three early wickets under the lights later. But soon the deviation vanished, the ball came on to the bat nicely, and a heady Aussie run chase ensued with a 192-run 4th wicket partnership. Australia won with 7 overs to spare, and that's hardly a contest in cricket's showcase event.
Nobody made a fuss when India similarly thrashed Pakistan on this ground on 14 October, with 19.3 overs to spare, batting second. It seems churlish to complain now just because India found itself on the receiving end. But this needs remedying for future tournaments.
Esta historia es de la edición November 22, 2023 de Mint Mumbai.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 22, 2023 de Mint Mumbai.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
India in economic sweet spot, inflation to moderate: Moody's
India's economy is in a sweet spot and its inflation is expected to moderate despite a temporary spurt, Moody's said, projecting optimism about the country's growth prospects despite recent underwhelming data.
Incentive engine to drive modern ships
Subsidies for green, high-tech ships under ₹18,000 cr policy
Cement firms wage war on costs as competition soars
India's cement makers who once flexed their pricing muscles are caught in a bruising price war, eroding margins at a time of rising demand.
Saudi Arabia doesn’t have enough money for its futuristic city
The giant futuristic planned city of Neom is proving a headache for Saudi Arabia. Costs are up, schedules are delayed, and in recent days the world’s largest construction project replaced its chief executive of six years.
EV adoption is a marathon, not a sprint: Audi India
The slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) sales is temporary, and the industry will grow over time, Audi India head Balbir Singh Dhillon said, pointing to the need for extensive charging networks and supportive government policies.
India's trade gap with China soars in Apr-Oct
The country's green transition increases reliance on Chinese imports
14 nations eye India's generic drug model
Countries will specify their requirements, with HLL and MEA coordinating with them for the pharma exports
India urges $1.3 tn annual climate grant
Intervening on behalf of like-minded developing countries (LMDCs), India said that developed countries need to commit to provide and mobilise at least $1.3 trillion every year in the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) till 2030.
Over 600 mn cyberattacks daily, AI can secure devices
Microsoft is developing a password-free authentication process to eliminate the risk of breaches
Small businesses ramping up cybersecurity, thanks to AI
Rising AI adoption is helping cybersecurity providers hike their marketable base in India
