Indian men's cricket team will face their Australian counterparts in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023 at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. India are in the final after winning all 10 matches including matches from the group stage and semi-final of the tournament. (Match Blog | Streaming | Scorecard | Full Coverage)
The Rohit Sharma-led Indian side are into the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup after 12 years and they would like to win the title once again on the home soil. But against a resurgent Australia, Men in Blue will have a tough test. Ahead of the IND vs AUS final, here's a SWOT analysis of India:
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STRENGTHS
The Indian batting order has Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill as openers who can destroy any bowling attack. The kind of start Rohit Sharma provides puts opponents under pressure. Gill's ability to adapt according to the needs of the situation provides a good balance to the team.
The skipper has scored 550 runs in 10 innings and run-machine Virat Kohli has made 711 in the tournament which is the most in any ICC World Cup event. Kohli's form is India's biggest strength. Shreyas Iyer is also in fine form and after hitting back-to-back centuries, he would like to continue his run-feast in the finals as well. KL Rahul has already played a match-saving innings against Australia in Chennai and his wicket-keeping and batting prowess can never be doubted.
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Rohit Sharma's captaincy is another strength of the Indian team. He has not done any experiment with the winning combination. Bowling changes, batting order and workload management, the way he has managed things is truly commendable.
Indian bowlers have won hearts all over the world. The kind of attitude they show on the field is unmatched. Indian pace battery of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami has received compliments not just from the fans but from the opponents as well. Nobody wants to face them. Mohammed Shami's 23 wickets have created a massive impact on the side. Spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja have also been effective in the middle overs.
WEAKNESSES
India have ticked all the boxes in all three departments but still, there are a few weaknesses that they need to work on. Suryakumar Yadav's ability to change the game is unmatched but he is yet to prove his class in this tournament. A good impactful inning in the final can change that perception.
India's pace attack getting praise but Mohammed Siraj's run-leaking is a concern for the team. In the middle overs, he needs to look for ways to take wickets.
Another weakness could be the fielding. The hosts have done comparably well in the fielding but 'catches win matches' is a term that could not be ignored in the important matches and any misfield can cost you the trophy. Indian fielders have to put some extra effort into their fielding.
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OPPORTUNITIES
India will face Australia for the second time in this tournament. Having beaten the five-time champions earlier, they would also have a psychological impact and India have this great opportunity to beat Australia two times in a global showpiece and also claim the title.
It would be a glorious moment for the Indian cricket fans to win the title after 12 years by beating mighty Australia in the finals.
THREATS
Men in Blue lack an all-rounder in the side and in important matches like the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, they would miss Hardik Pandya who had to leave because of a leg injury in between the tournament.
