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Pat Cummins knows what awaits when his Australian side faces the undefeated juggernaut that is India in a World Cup final before more than 100,000 supporters at Ahmedabad on Sunday.
“The stadium is going to be packed, pretty one-sided, but [we have] got to embrace it,” Cummins said. “The good thing is a few of us have been there for finals before. The 2015 World Cup was a career highlight, so to be out there in a final in India, can’t wait.”
Clash of the titans (from left): Australian opener Travis Head, Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, Australian paceman Mitchell Starc, and Indian superstar Virat Kohli.Credit: Getty Images, AP
And neither can the cricketing world, for this is a contest full of blue-chip talent in rich form.
According to the ICC one-day player rankings, India have five batsmen in the top 30 – Shubman Gill (1), Virat Kohli (4), Rohit Sharma (5), Shreyas Iyer (13) and KL Rahul (18) – while Australia have four – David Warner (7), Steve Smith (17), Glenn Maxwell (21) and Marnus Labuschagne (26). At last count, Travis Head was 43, but that will change.
In the bowling stocks, Mohammed Siraj (2), Jasprit Bumrah (4) and Kuldeep Yadav (5) have Adam Zampa (3) and Josh Hazlewood (6) for company. Mohammed Shami is at 12, while Mitchell Starc is at 20, and Pat Cummins at 34 – expect that to also change soon.
Much, of course, could depend on the condition of the pitch, and even the toss of the coin, as New Zealand discovered in their losing semi-final.
Here’s a head-to-head look at each player in the anticipated line-ups for Sunday’s match:
THE OPENERS
David Warner (Australia): One of the best white-ball players of all time. Warner can turn a contest in the first 10-over power play. He had back-to-back tons against Pakistan and the Netherlands, and now has a chance to cap a superb white-ball career.
Overall ODI record: 6925 runs at 45.5, strike rate 97, 100s – 22.
This World Cup: 528 at 52.8, S/R 107, 100s – 2.
Travis Head (Australia): A robust player with an outstanding record opening the batting in one-day cricket. This was highlighted by returning from a broken hand to thump a 60-ball century against New Zealand. His half-century against the Proteas – he was the only Australian to reach 50 – was pivotal in the semi-final win.
Overall ODI record: 2173 at 43, S/R 101, 100s – 4.
This World Cup: 192 at 38.4, S/R 139, 100s – 1.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has been superb.Credit: Getty Images
Rohit Sharma (India): The Indian skipper has led from the front with his aggressive intent, reinforced in the win over the Black Caps. Has the highest strike rate of the top-10 run-scorers in the tournament. Will again look to set the scene against Australia’s fast bowlers. Has been excellent tactically.
Overall ODI record: 10,662 at 49, S/R 92, 100s – 31.
This World Cup: 550 at 55, S/R 124, 100s – 1.
Shubman Gill (India): Has been in excellent touch of late as the steady foil to the robust Sharma. Retired on 80 against the Black Caps because of body cramps, but is expected to line up against Australia.
Overall ODI record: 2267 at 62, S/R 104, 100s – 6.
This World Cup: 350 at 50, S/R 108, 100s – 0.
No.3
Mitch Marsh (Australia): One of the most destructive forces when on song. Has been playing with a freedom where fear of failure is a second thought. Dismissed for a duck on Thursday, but will look to rebound in final.
Overall ODI record: 2657 at 36.39, S/R 96.16, 100s – 3.
This World Cup: 426 at 53.25, S/R 107, 100s – 2.
Mitch Marsh can tear an innings apart.Credit: Getty Images
Virat Kohli (India): Arguably the finest batsman in ODI cricket, the former skipper is in line to be player of the tournament. Loves the big moments, his century against the Black Caps a highlight. He has all the shots, and all the fans – just ask an enthralled David Beckham and Sachin Tendulkar.
Overall ODI record: 13,794 at 59, S/R 94, 100s – 50.
This World Cup: 711 at102, S/R 91, 100s – 3.
No.4
Steve Smith (Australia): While the former captain is one of the most consistent and clever players in the game, he has had a quiet tournament, his hope of being the regular No.3 dashed by selectors. Australia will hope he has left his best to last.
Overall ODI record: 5352 at 43, S/R 88, 100s – 12.
This World Cup: 298 at 37.25, S/R 81, 100s – 0.
Shreyas Iyer has scored back-to-back centuries.Credit: AP
Shreyas Iyer (India): Heads into the final buoyed by back-to-back centuries, his latest – against New Zealand – the ninth fastest ever by an Indian. Blessed with strong wrists, Shreyas appears almost effortless at the crease, adopting a stand-and-deliver, and no-fear mantra, in full knowledge the hosts have a deep batting order.
Overall ODI record: 2327 at 51, S/R 101, 100s -5.
This World Cup: 526 at 75, S/R 113, 100s – 2.
No.5/6
Marnus Labuschagne (Australia): The great survivor who has retained his place through injuries – and a composed manner. While he is a consistent accumulator during the middle overs, he may need to put the foot down quicker in the final if Australia want a 350-plus score.
Overall ODI record: 1572 at 36.5, S/R 85, 100s – 2.
This World Cup: 304 at 33.77, S/R 75.6, 100s – 0.
Suryakumar Yadav (India): The Mumbai batsman has struggled to make an imprint with the bat, his top score of 49 coming against England. While an excellent fieldsman, he made only one against the Black Caps, and has a point to prove in the final – should he retain his spot.
Overall ODI record: 755 at 26, S/R 106, 100s – 0.
This World Cup: 88 at 17, S/R 114, 100s – 0.
Wicketkeeper
Josh Inglis (Australia): Inventive wicketkeeper-batsman who deserved his opportunity after Alex Carey struggled coming into the tournament. Has one half-century, but contributed a high-pressure 28 against the Proteas in tough conditions. His work behind the stumps has been clean.
Overall ODI record: 302 at 18.87, S/R 94, 100s – 0.
This World Cup: 159 at 19.8, S/R 94.64, 100s – 0.
Wicketkeeper K.L. Rahul stumps England’s Chris Woakes during the World Cup.Credit: Getty Images
K.L. Rahul (India): A part-time wicketkeeper, Rahul has been superb behind the stumps, with the bat and also in the field when determining whether to call for the DRS. Has held the Indian innings together on several occasions, including when the hosts lost early wickets against Australia in Chennai. Hit a century against the Netherlands in Bengaluru.
Overall ODI record: 2677 at 50, S/R 89, 100s -7.
This World Cup: 386 at 77.2, S/R 99, 100s – 1.
All-rounder
Glenn Maxwell (Australia): Explosive all-rounder who has been one among the top five best players of the tournament. His batting has been brilliant – just ask Afghanistan after his cramp-riddled double ton – while his crafty off-spin has held opponents in the middle overs.
Overall ODI record: 3893 at 35, S/R 126.69; 69 wickets at 48, S/R 53.3.
This World Cup: 398 at 63.33, S/R 150; five wickets at 59, S/R 75.
Ravindra Jadeja (India): The left-arm finger spinner has enjoyed a terrific tournament with the ball, and looms as a major threat. Dismissed Smith and Labuschagne among his three wickets when the nations last met. He is arguably the world’s best fielder, and can supply key runs down the order.
Overall ODI record: 2747 at 32.7, S/R 85; 220 wickets at 36, S/R 44.
This World Cup: 111 at 55, S/R 115; 16 wickets at 22, S/R 31.
The pace trio
Pat Cummins (Australia): Leading from the front after a slow start. Has been excellent with the ball and played some important cameos with the bat, none more so than against the Proteas. Has been solid tactically.
Overall ODI record: 139 wickets at 28, S/R 32; 492 runs at13, S/R 75.
This World Cup: 13 wickets at 37, S/R 36; 128 runs at 32, S/R 68.8.
Mitchell Starc (Australia): Is one of the best white-ball bowlers in history, who can also provide key runs late in an innings. He was superb with the new ball against the Proteas, laying the foundation for victory. Australia’s match against New Zealand earlier this tournament was the first time he failed to take at least one wicket in a World Cup contest.
Overall ODI record: 233 wickets at 23, S/R 26.
This World Cup: 13 wickets at 36, S/R 35.
Josh Hazlewood (Australia): Ranked second on the ICC’s table of one-day bowlers behind Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi, the metronomic paceman has been Australia’s most consistent fast bowler in this tournament, reflected in his 2-12 off eight overs against the Proteas.
Overall ODI record: 130 wickets at 27, S/R 34.
This World Cup: 14 wickets at 28, S/R 36.
Jasprit Bumrah (India): Has enjoyed a strong campaign, and always troubles the Australians with his change of pace, swing and angle. He is a dot-ball king, particularly in the opening 10 overs. Dismissed Mitch Marsh for a duck in Chennai, and enjoys being the leader of a wonderful pace-bowling pack.
Overall ODI record: 147 wickets at 24, S/R 31.
This World Cup: 18 wickets at 18, S/R 28.
Mohammed Shami is part of India’s lethal pace-bowling attack.Credit: AP
Mohammed Shami (India): The veteran seamer left New Zealand reeling in the semi-final with career-best figures of 7-57. Has arguably the best seam presentation in world cricket, and uses this to extract movement off the pitch. The manner in which he flummoxed Ben Stokes for 10 balls in Lucknow was eye-popping.
Overall ODI record: 194 wickets at 24, S/R 25.
This World Cup: 23 wickets at 9, S/R 11.
Mohammed Siraj (India): Where Bumrah and Shami have their unique strengths, Siraj, the son of an auto rickshaw driver, adds his own, through his ability to use the scrambled seam – at high pace – to maximum impact. Tall and athletic, Siraj is always on the hunt for wickets.
Overall ODI record: 62 wickets at 27, S/R 22.
This World Cup: 13 wickets at 33, S/R 35.
The spinner
Adam Zampa (Australia): Carved himself a niche as Australia’s leading white-ball spinner. Has overcome niggles and illness to be a key player with the second-most wickets in the tournament, but was wicketless against India in the pool game, and against the Proteas on Thursday.
Overall ODI record: 164 wickets at 28, S/R 30.
This World Cup: 22 wickets at 21, S/R 23.
Kuldeep Yadav (India): The left-arm wrist spinner was the leading ODI wicket-taker heading into this tournament, benefiting from a straightened run-up, so his bowling arm doesn’t fall away in the follow through, and he has continued that good form. Dismissed Warner and Maxwell when the nations last met.
Overall ODI record: 167 wickets at 26, S/R 30.
This World Cup: 15 wickets at 25, S/R 34.
Conclusion
This is a desperately hard debate to settle, for both nations have elite talent who are in gold-plated form. Sharma is a lock to open, but could Head or Warner replace Gill in a combined side? Kohli is also a lock, and so is Shreyas, but the same could be said about Maxwell and Jadeja. Rahul gets the nod as keeper, but don’t ask me to split the fast bowlers. That’s why this final on Sunday night shapes as an absolute classic.
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