India tighten grip at Motera, but Australia fight back

Travis Head (Pic: AFP)

IND vs AUS ICC World Cup 2023 final: Rohit Sharma-led Team India kept themselves in the game after posting a below-par 240 by limiting Australia to 95 for three in 18 overs in the ICC World Cup 2023 final on Sunday.

David Warner (7) and Travis Head (27 not out off 38) went after the in-form pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami, who was given the new ball for the first time in the competition with the hosts desperate for wickets.

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Bumrah had his outswinger going from ball one against the left-handed pair and induced an outside edge from Warner's bat that went through Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill in the slips.

Warner fell in the second over of the innings while chasing a wide ball from Shami, who struck after starting his spell with a wide.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma ends impactful World Cup campaign with bat

Mitchell Marsh too showed aggressive intent and after putting away Shami for a six and four, got an under edge while going for the cut off a wide one from Bumrah.

Steve Smith (4) was the next to depart after being foxed by a Bumrah slower ball that thudded into his pads. The ball's impact was outside the off-stump but Smith chose not to review.

Australia reached 60 for three in 10 overs, after which spin was introduced from both ends.

Earlier, left-arm quick Mitchell Starc took 3-55 and Australia captain Pat Cummins a miserly 2-34 in his maximum 10 overs. KL Rahul top-scored with 66 but hit only one boundary in 107 balls. Key batsman Virat Kohli made 54 after India captain Rohit Sharma struck a fluent 47 off just 31 balls opening the innings.

(With inputs from agencies)