Australia was better-planned team in WC final, India lost to better-planned game: Irfan Pathan

Australia emerged victorious in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 final, securing their sixth ODI World Cup title in a pretty one-sided match at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19.

Former India all-rounder and renowned commentator, Irfan Pathan praised Australia's great planning, stating that India succumbed to a team with a superior game plan.

“I think India lost to a better-planned game. Australia was a better-planned team. The way they planned, starting from the toss, I don’t think any other team could come close to that kind of planning,” Pathan said in an interview with Star Sports.

Posting an average 240 runs in the final, India couldn't contain Travis Head's onslaught, who scored a brilliant century. Marnus Labuschagne's gritty half-century further bolstered the Australian innings, leading them to a comfortable six-wicket triumph.

Pathan pointed out that India missed an opportunity to exploit the part-time bowlers in the Australian lineup. He further highlighted India's batting depth issue as well.

“It was tough because the Indian team was looking behind, absolutely looking behind Jadeja and Surya Kumar Yadav. And when KL Rahul got out, I think that was the time when India couldn’t just go ahead. I thought as soon as they knew that there was no cover, no mid-off, they could have used their feet a bit more and tried to rotate the strike and not allow guys like Travis Head to bowl those two overs crucially in between. Mitchell Marsh bowled one over as well,” Pathan added.

India's loss marked their second defeat in an ODI World Cup final against Australia, denying them the chance to secure their third title.

Right now, the two cricketing giants are engaged in a five-match match T20I series, where India secured a thrilling victory in the first match. As the series goes ahead, cricket fans are looking forward to the next encounter at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, wondering if India can maintain their winning streak or if the mighty Aussies will make a spirited comeback.