"Feel Sad And Empty": Fans React As Australia End India's World Cup 2023 Title Dream

20.11.2023 - 04:53 sports.ndtv.com

India's six-wicket loss to Australia in the final of the Cricket World Cup in Ahmedabad on Sunday left tens of thousands of fans heartbroken and in frantic search of a new plan for the night ahead.

Having braved the long, colourful and festive queues for hours early Sunday to get into the ground, many started leaving the stadium in droves by the 35th over of Australia's chase as the result became obvious.

The grand 132,000-seat arena is the world's biggest cricket ground and named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The home team, which entered the final unbeaten and favourites to win a third title, could only set a below-par 241 target for Australia to chase. "I am returning to my home in Mumbai now," said Jine Shah, 40, who left the stadium when Australia still needed 49 runs to win their sixth World Cup title. "I'd have stayed here and in the city if we were winning, but what's the reason now?" he asked. 'Want to sleep now' Rajiv Kumar, 25, who planned to "celebrate through the night after India's expected win", couldn't pinpoint what went wrong with the team. "They have been so good throughout this tournament, the best, and I don't know what happened today," he said. "I just want to go back to my hotel to sleep and not think of this now if possible," Kumar added.

While thousands of Indian fans left their seats, Roelof Hugo, 51, a South African cricket fan from Paarl, stuck around for the final formalities.

cricket Australia Cricket Team India Cricket Team World Cup 2023 cup as Pat Cummins Rohit Sharma Narendra Modi Australia South Africa India

Indian cricket team spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recalled the heartbreaking scenes following India's defeat in the Cricket World Cup 2023 final against Australia. India were unbeaten in the competition going into the summit clash but were completely outplayed by Australia who rode brilliant performances from Travis Head and the bowlers to claim a record-extending sixth World Cup title. In a recent interaction, Ashwin said that both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma ended up in tears after the defeat.

"Pat Cummins' Best Day With Ball": Australia Star On World Cup Final

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"Just One Bad Day...": Sachin Tendulkar's Message For Team India After Cricket World Cup 2023 Heartbreak

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Watch: Another Brainfade? Steve Smith's Mistake That Almost Became Costly For Australia In Cricket World Cup 2023 Final

Steve Smith made a huge mistake by not taking a crucial review despite being not-out during the Cricket World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. During the seventh over of the Australian innings, a slower delivery from Jasprit Bumrah crashed into Smith's pads and the entire India team went up in appeal. The umpire gave him out and although Smith was a bit interested, he was advised by Travis Head to not go for a review. However, replays showed that the impact of the ball was outside the off-stump and the decision would have been reversed.

Virat Kohli Emerges As Player Of The Tournament For Outstanding Show In Cricket World Cup 2023

India's batting talisman Virat Kohli ended the ICC World Cup 2023 campaign as the Player of the Tournament and leading run-scorer of the marquee event. The 36-year-old ended his ODI World Cup 2023 journey as the leading run-scorer of this prestigious tournament with a total of 765 runs. Kohli scored 54 runs off 63 deliveries in the final against the triumphant Australian team at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. However, he had a fantastic campaign overall, with three tonnes and six half-centuries at an average of 101.57 and a strike rate of 90.69.

India vs Australia - "Wasn't Invited For World Cup 2023 Final," Claims Kapil Dev

Former India captain Kapil Dev on Sunday claimed that he was not invited to the World Cup final between the hosts and Australia here. Kapil, who led India to their maiden ODI World Cup title in 1983, said he wanted to travel for the game with the rest of his teammates.