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.

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.