Two uncanny narratives 20 years apart: Can India return the favour to Australia in 2023?

Australia are in the final of an ODI World Cup. Experiences in this century alone tell us that they can hammer 281/4 in just 38 overs when rain affects proceedings and cruise to victory even if it's a farcical climax in fading Barbados light. 

They can discard the opposition's most dangerous player in the very first over, skittle the entire team for 183 and win with more than 100 balls remaining in Melbourne. If that opposition is India, as it was at the Wanderers in Johannes burg in 2003, they can plunder fours and sixes on way to 359/2 and waltz to a 125-run victory. So, they are almost invincible in a World Cup final, right? Try telling that to the current Indian team particularly when the roles seem to have reversed.

The similarities between the last time they met are uncanny: India go into the final now on the back of a 10-game winning run, just like Australia did in 2003. Australia suffered a heavy defeat to India at the start of this campaign, just as India lost to Australia by nine wickets early. And India regrouped to go on an impressive eight-game winning run on the way to the final; just as Australia have made it 8-0 here since losing to South Africa in their second game.