Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir feels Australia is still vulnerable, despite a dramatic three-wicket win against South Africa in the semi-finals.
Chasing 213, Australia nearly made a feast of the assignment before Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc contributed an unbroken 22 to eke out a win. Team India, their final opponent, has been in blistering form throughout the tournament, winning all ten games en route to the top battle.
Gautham Gambhir told Star Sports after Australia’s semi-final victory that the team did not play their best.
“Don’t think Australia brought their A-game in the semi-final. Australia are still very vulnerable, but yes, they know how to win these knockout games. India will have to play their A-game in the final, which they have been playing since the last 10 matches. India are going to be very confident facing Australia in Ahmedabad.”
Gautam Gambhir
Despite the shaky victory, the Men in Yellow have now won eight straight games after losing their first two against India and South Africa.
Australia will compete in its seventh ODI World Cup final. They have won five of the previous seven, including three consecutive victories in 1999, 2003, and 2007.
In a low-scoring encounter in Chennai, India triumphed by six wickets in the league stage match.
“Shreyas Iyer is the biggest game changer for me in this World Cup” – Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir praised Shreyas Iyer after his century against New Zealand in the semi-finals. He also believes that the middle-order hitter is critical to India’s prospects against the Australian spinners in the final.
Iyer became only the third Indian cricketer, after Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma, to achieve successive World Cup hundreds with his 105* in the semi-final.
“Shreyas Iyer is the biggest game changer for me in this World Cup. He was injured and had to fight for his place, and to score a century in 70 balls in the knockout is simply outstanding. He’ll be the key for India in the final when Maxwell and Zampa bowl.”
Gautam Gambhir
Shreyas Iyer has been in amazing form since a difficult start to his 2023 World Cup campaign, with 50+ scores in his past four games.
The Mumbai-born hitter has scored 526 runs in the competition with an average of 75.14 and a strike rate of 113.11.
On Sunday, November 19, Team India will face Australia in the grand finals in Ahmedabad.