Image Credit- PTI
An exciting World Cup came to an anticlimactic end as
Australia, led by Travis Head, defeated India with a low scoring total in the
final. Following the 50-over match, veteran Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram
questioned Rohit Sharma’s “out of the box thinking” as India suffered
yet another World Cup setback. Australia’s six-wicket victory over the Men in
Blue at the One Day International (ODI) World Cup 2023 hushed the partisan
crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium and ended India’s undefeated streak.
In the World Cup final, Rohit’s Team India could only
muster 240 after thumping a massive score against New Zealand in the
semi-final. In the second over, captain Rohit chose to unleash Mohammed Shami
rather than strike bowler Mohammed Siraj in an attempt to defend the below-par
total against the all-time winners. Despite taking the new ball and getting the
crucial wicket of David Warner, an impressive Shami did not lead India to a
historic victory over Australia.
Speaking to Sportskeeda about India’s approach to
attacking the Australian bowlers, Akram opined that Rohit and Co. ‘panicked’
during the final. “They panicked a bit. I understand that he [Shami] has
dismissed many left-handers and has bowled brilliantly from round the wicket.
Travis Head survived against him. You must have noted that Shami bowled a
couple of wide balls. I feel Siraj should have bowled 2-3 overs at the start
just because of his swing,” Akram said.
“Psychologically, Shami knew that he comes first
change, so the ball is controllable as it is a little old. Giving him the new
ball in the World Cup final, out of the box thinking, I am all for it. But,
Siraj should have bowled 2-3 overs at the start. If nothing had happened, Shami
could have been brought on,” Akram added.
While Siraj had the same numbers with the ball (1 for
45) and Shami bowled seven overs and gave up 47 runs, both pacers shared just
two wickets in the end. Australia achieved the 240-run target in 43 overs,
riding high on Head’s 137 runs off 120 balls. Marnus Labuschagne’s calm 58-run
innings and Head’s outstanding century helped Australia win its sixth World Cup
in Ahmedabad.