Team India entered the final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 on the back of 10 successive wins. The Men in Blue defeated all nine opponents comprehensively in the league stage before beating New Zealand in the first semi-final.

However, Rohit Sharma’s men were completely outplayed by Australia in the title clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday (November 19).

After the game, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar said India reached the final by decimating all the teams but couldn’t turn up in the final.

“India played the final, it’s not an easy job. They reached the final by decimating all the other teams. Unfortunately, they couldn’t replicate their performances in the final. They’ve reached close to winning the trophy on many occasions in the last 12 years but couldn’t win it,” said Akhtar while speaking on his YouTube channel.

According to Shoaib, luck hasn’t gone in India’s favour but he insisted that their approach was also a bit timid in the all-important final.

“India has the best batting with Kohli scoring the most runs, Shami picked the most wickets. But unfortunately, luck hasn’t been in their favour. But Australia just know how to hold their nerve in big matches. I thought Australia’s approach was good and India’s approach was a bit timid,” he added.

Coming to the match, Indian batters failed to get going on a slow pitch and managed to post only 240/10 in 50 overs after being asked to bat first.

While skipper Rohit Sharma played a fiery knock of 31-ball 47 at the top, the hosts lost three wickets for 81 runs in the 11th over. Subsequently, Virat Kohli (54 off 63) and KL Rahul (66 off 107) adopted a consolidation strategy in the middle overs, where India struggled to find the boundary.

In reply, the Aussies rode on Travis Head’s stunning hundred (137 off 120) and Marnus Labuschagne’s unbeaten half-century (58 off 110) to overhaul the target with seven overs remaining.