India slumped to 118-3 in 20 overs after losing Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer in the space of five balls.
India skipper Rohit departed for 47 while looking to accelerate the run rate. India’s other opener, Shubman Gill, departed for four runs. Australia had won the toss and asked India to bat first in the final of the Cricket World Cup.
Both India and Australia chose to go into the final with unchanged teams.
India carried the hopes of billions of fans in the cricket-crazy country and beyond as the unbeaten hosts headed into Sunday's World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad. "All the best Team India!, wrote India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is attending the showpiece match at the 130,000-capacity stadium named after him in the western Indian city, on X, formerly Twitter.
"1.4 billion) Indians are cheering for you. May you shine bright, play well, and uphold the spirit of sportsmanship." Both teams were unchanged, with Australia captain Pat Cummins electing to bowl first on a dry pitch. India skipper Rohit Sharma, an opener in a powerful top-order, had no complaints, saying he would have batted first. "It's a big occasion and we would like to put a big total on the board," Rohit said.
Soon after the coin toss, the crowd was treated to a pre-match fly-past by the Indian Air Force. Choreographed dancing displays and light shows during the innings breaks are also expected during the game. Everything promises to be on a suitably grand scale given India is cricket's economic powerhouse But the match itself could well live up to the occasion. Unbeaten hosts, India have won 10 games in a row on their way to the finish of the tournament as they seek a third World Cup title to follow their stunning victory over the West Indies in a 1983 final at Lord's and a 2011 home triumph sealed with a defeat of Sri Lanka in Mumbai.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
