In the lead-up to the highly anticipated 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final, Pat Cummins and Rohit Sharma highlighted the pivotal role played by every team member in ensuring the success of their respective teams. In this edition of the Cricket World Cup, India boasts five batsmen scoring over 300 runs and five bowlers taking more than 10 wickets, a feat unmatched by Australia.
According to the captain, several players have showcased exemplary performances, contributing to India’s resilience throughout the tournament. Rohit stated, “Obviously, when you score a century, when you take five wickets, such performances grab headlines.”
“However, I believe players like Jadeja, Kuldeep, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill, among others, have played their roles exceptionally well. They make it easier for those scoring centuries and taking five-wicket hauls. If they hadn’t delivered what was expected of them, it would have been challenging for others to score centuries or take five wickets, especially when you can only bowl 10 overs. So, support from other players is crucial.”
The narrative is not much different for Australia, where Captain Pat Cummins has been a silent hero with the bat, rescuing the team twice — first in the company of Glenn Maxwell, where his vigilant innings made a significant impact, and later in the semifinal, steering the team to victory under pressure.
When asked about the standout player for Australia in the tournament, Cummins mentioned, “We have many different individuals who have stood up at different times. Travis Head has delivered two Player of the Match performances. In terms of scoring the most runs, David Warner is at the top. Mitchell Marsh has scored two centuries, and of course, Glenn Maxwell entertained with a humorous century against the Netherlands, followed by another century outside the world. Against Afghanistan, a century.”
“And Zampa, he is almost the top wicket-taker. I think I’ve named the entire XI. So, it’s really hard to single anyone out. The good thing is that on any given day, anyone can be the winner.”
The Australian captain has also been in the spotlight for his exceptional performance over the last six months, having already secured the ICC World Test Championship title and maintaining consistency in the Ashes series.
“Oh, it’s madness. I think this might be the top among all of them. It’s been a strange year. And fortunately, there has been a lot of success. So, being here on the world stage, competing for the trophy, standing tall with the trophy after putting in efforts, I think we’ll be at the top among all.”
Meanwhile, Rohit emphasized how the team’s preparation for the event and the hard work behind the scenes played a crucial role in India’s impactful World Cup campaign.
“You eagerly await the World Cup for a few years and start preparing for it. You try to identify players who can work for you. And it’s something we’ve focused on a lot in the last few years. It’s very satisfying to see them come out, work with such clarity, and perform so authoritatively.”
“So, you know, it has given me a lot of excitement. And I’m happy for everyone because, you know, when you put in the effort, put your thoughts into something, and when you see that you are being rewarded for it, it’s a good feeling.”
