Australia clinches victory as India faces heartbreak in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 finals

In a staggering turn of events at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, India faced a crushing defeat against arch-rivals Australia by six wickets in a nail-biting finale clash on Sunday. The match, held at the Narendra Modi stadium, packed to the brim with audience, unfolded with intense drama, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Australia, led by Pat Cummins, emerged victorious in a contest that showcased the true spirit of the game. The Australian team's stellar performance was highlighted by exceptional contributions from key players, solidifying their reputation as one of the cricketing powerhouses. “Congratulations to Australia on a magnificent World Cup victory! Theirs was a commendable performance through the tournament, culminating in a splendid triumph. Compliments to Travis Head for his remarkable game today,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the Australian team on their victory.

The heartbreak for the Indian team led by captain Rohit Sharma, was palpable, with players and fans alike coming to terms with the disappointment of falling short in the final hurdle, after a stellar performance in the tournament. "The result has not gone our way. We were not good enough today. We tried everything but it wasn't supposed to be. 20-30 runs more would have been good, KL and Kohli were stitching a good partnership and we were looking at 270-280 but we kept losing wickets," said Captain Rohit Sharma after the final match.

India, the sole undefeated team with an impressive 10 consecutive victories leading up to the final, stumbled at the last hurdle. Their most recent global triumph was in 2011, and their last ICC trophy came in the form of the Champions Trophy in 2013.

Taking to social media platform ‘X’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cheered on for the men in blue. “Dear Team India, Your talent and determination through the World Cup was noteworthy. You've played with great spirit and brought immense pride to the nation. We stand with you today and always,” posted PM Modi.

In the past, India has encountered setbacks in various ICC events that include the 2014 World T20 final, the 2016 World T20 semifinal, the 2017 Champions Trophy final, the 2019 ODI World Cup semifinal, the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal, and back-to-back instances of finishing as runners-up in the 2021 and 2023.