David Warner on the left and Mohammad Kaif on the right. (Agency/screengrab) India’s only loss in the Cricket World Cup 2023 came in the final of the showpiece event. Apart from that defeat, Rohit Sharma’s men looked a touch above the rest of the sides throughout the league stage and in the semifinal against New Zealand.
Australia, on the other hand, lost their first two games comprehensively and looked like a team that was on its way out. But mid-way through the first innings against Sri Lanka, things turned for Pat Cummins’ men who then later went on a run and eventually lifted the trophy on the back of nine straight wins.
However, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif felt that the best team at the 2023 World Cup did not win the trophy. “I can never accept that the best team has won the world cup. The Indian team is the best team on paper,” he said on Star Sports.
Reacting to this comment, Australian opener David Warner tweeted: “I like MK, the issue is it does not matter what’s on paper. At the end of the day, you need to perform when it matters. That’s why they call it a final. That’s the day that counts and it can go either way, that’s sports. 2027 here we come.”
I like MK, issue is it does not matter what’s on paper. At the end of the day you need to perform when it matters. That’s why they call it a final. That’s the day that counts and it can go either way, that’s sports. 2027 here we come 👍 https://t.co/DBDOCagG2r
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) November 22, 2023
Though Warner could not make much of an impact in the final, his partner Travis Head scored a blistering century as Marnus Labuschagne played the perfect anchor scoring a gritty 50 as Australia defeated India by 6 wickets in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to win their 6th crown.
In a chase of 241, the Aussies got off to a rocky start after Jasprit Bumrah claimed the wickets of Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith while Mohammed Shami dismissed David Warner to leave Australia reeling at 47/3.After that, it was all about Head and Marnus Labuschagne as they built a rock-solid partnership to get Australia over the line.
On Thursday, in what seemed to be a response to Warner, Kaif posted on X: “Facts: It was Australia’s day in final, they won, they are World Cup winners. More facts: India comprehensively won 10 games, they lost 11th, they had the best bowlers and batters. They were the tournament’s best team. Both facts, on paper and on field. Relax Australia.”
India and Australia begin a T20I series on Thursday, even as the dust is still settling from the World Cup final.
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