Opener Travis Head struck a stunning century to lead Australia to a six-wicket victory and a record-extending sixth World Cup victory in Sunday’s World Cup final against India, the tournament’s top team.
After being put to bat, India amassed a respectable 240 all out in precisely 50 overs at a crowded Narendra Modi Stadium thanks to valiant half-centuries by KL Rahul and Virat Kohli.
Although Australia’s top order faltered as well, Head’s 137 off 120 balls helped them cruise home with seven overs remaining in a match that never really got very far.
Enormous silence fell on the 93,000 mostly Indian spectators as the home team, having advanced to the final by winning 10 straight games, suffered their first defeat of the competition.
With a brilliant century that broke Indian hearts, Travis Head led Australia to their sixth World Cup victory in men’s cricket in Ahmedabad by six wickets.
India had been perfect throughout the tournament, winning all of their group matches as they easily advanced to the knockout stages. However, they faltered at the last hurdle, allowing Australia to win the title and quiet the partisan home crowd of over 100,000 people.
The stage was set for Rohit Sharma’s team to repeat the achievements of the 2011 squad, who won the trophy at home and cemented their place in history, but a decade and a half later, they could not muster enough momentum to defeat the Australians.
Some of the spectators had already left the Narendra Modi Stadium as the post-match fireworks shot into the sky, and they were not for the team for which they had been planned.
