ODI World Cup 2023

Gautam Gambhir rues ‘lack of intent’ as reason behind India’s defeat in World Cup Final

After a dominant run that saw them emerge as the tournament’s front-runners, India’s hopes of lifting the 2023 World Cup were dashed by Australia in a one-sided final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Australia won the toss and sent India out to bat. India’s innings began with a blazing start led by their captain, Rohit Sharma. However, following his dismissal, the momentum inexplicably swung in Australia’s favour. Despite a fiery opening ten overs that yielded 80 runs, India managed to add only four boundaries in the subsequent 40 overs, a dramatic shift that many believe cost them the match.

Falling 20-30 runs short of a par score, India’s eventual total of 240 left them with a mountain to climb. However, they fought back valiantly, claiming three early wickets to keep the game alive. But Australia’s middle-order duo of Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the ship, forging an unforgettable 192-run partnership that etched their names in Australian cricketing history.

Three days after the heartbreaking loss, former Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir has offered his insights into the factors that contributed to India’s defeat. Gambhir believes India’s lack of intent and risk-taking ability in the middle overs was a major factor in their downfall.

“I have always said this, the most courageous team will go on to win the World Cup” – Gautam Gambhir

“It’s a double-edged sword. But I have always said this, the most courageous team will go on to win the World Cup. I can understand that you need time to build a partnership but 11 to 40 overs is a very, very long time. Someone should have taken that risk,” Gambhir said to Sportskeeda.

Gambhir further opined that KL Rahul should have adopted a more aggressive approach, as Virat Kohli had been instructed to anchor the innings and bat long. Rahul’s cautious 66 off 107 balls, which ended just when India needed to accelerate, was a key turning point in the match.

“Kohli has played a role of anchoring the innings, but the rest all should have been aggressive. KL should have gone. What harm would it have caused? We would have been 150 all out. But had we been brave, we could scored 310 and India would have been world champions. This is not the 1990s. 240 is not a good score at all. You need 300-plus totals. India were not brave enough,” he said.