The stage is set for the 2023 World Cup final showdown between Australia and India at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Australia, currently riding an impressive 8-match winning streak, secured their spot in the final by defeating South Africa in a nail-biting semi-final. This achievement follows a challenging start to their campaign, including a loss to India.

Despite early setbacks, the Australian team has rallied as a cohesive unit, with various players stepping up at crucial moments throughout the tournament. Adam Zampa stands out as their leading wicket-taker with 22 dismissals in 10 games, while Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan remains one of the tournament’s standout performances.

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Having demonstrated resilience and composure, Australia heads into the final with confidence, especially after their hard-fought victory against South Africa in the semi-final. The team, aiming for their sixth 50-over World Cup title, is expected to field the same lineup unless unforeseen injuries arise.

Here’s a breakdown of Australia’s playing XI for the final:

1. Travis Head: Opening the batting, Head’s aggressive knock of 62 in the semi-final earned him the Man of the Match award.
2. David Warner: Partnering with Head at the top, Warner has been a consistent performer, amassing 528 runs at an average of 52.80 in the tournament.
3. Mitchell Marsh: Batting at three, Marsh, despite a duck in the semi-final, has displayed good form with 426 runs, including two centuries.
4. Steve Smith: Slotting in at four, Smith aims to contribute more after a relatively quiet World Cup, having scored 298 runs in 9 games.
5. Marnus Labuschagne: Batting at five, Labuschagne has been a key figure in Australia’s middle order, accumulating 304 runs at an average of 33.78.
6. Glenn Maxwell: At number six, Maxwell’s unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan and overall impactful performances make him a key player.
7. Josh Inglis (WK): The preferred wicketkeeper over Alex Carey, Inglis played a crucial role in the semi-final, scoring 28 off 49 balls.
8. Pat Cummins (C): Leading the team, Cummins will bat at eight and brings both batting prowess and bowling skills to the table.
9. Mitchell Starc: At 10, Starc’s unbeaten 16 in the semi-final showcased his ability to contribute with the bat, complementing his 13 wickets in the tournament.
10. Josh Hazlewood: Completing the pace trio, Hazlewood has been a consistent wicket-taker with 14 scalps in 10 matches.
11. Adam Zampa: The only specialist spinner in the side, Zampa, concludes the playing XI as the second-highest wicket-taker with 22 scalps.

As the teams gear up for the ultimate clash, Australia aims to seize the coveted title in this highly anticipated final.