Rohit Sharma‘s undefeated India will look to finish a 10-year international title drought in entrance of 130,000 followers within the World Cup closing in opposition to five-time champions Australia on Sunday. India have racked up 10 straight wins on the match as they search a 3rd World Cup triumph so as to add to their 1983 and 2011 victories, the final of which got here on dwelling soil. Regardless of the nation’s cricket riches, India are with out a main worldwide title for the reason that 2013 Champions Trophy and expectations within the cricket-crazy nation of 1.4 billion folks have reached fever pitch.

Nevertheless, the hosts are up in opposition to an Australian aspect who’ve gained eight matches in a row and might be enjoying of their eighth World Cup closing.

“We have gained earlier than,” Australia captain Pat Cummins mentioned on Saturday.

“I feel one of many pleasing issues is I nonetheless do not feel like we have performed the entire sport.”

‘Actual problem’

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning staff, advised TV channel India Right this moment, “That is going to be an unbelievable sport”.

“You’re enjoying in opposition to the five-time champions, a staff that is aware of learn how to come again from nearly inconceivable conditions, who know learn how to play finals, learn how to win finals.”

“So I imagine it is going to be an actual, actual problem for the Indian staff however I do imagine that Rohit Sharma’s males are up for it.”

Other than their 5 World Cup titles, Australia clinched their maiden T20 crown in 2021 and likewise beat India convincingly within the World Check Championship closing earlier this 12 months.

India handed Australia a six-wicket mauling within the group stage in Chennai 4 weeks in the past the place Cummins’ aspect had been bowled out for 199.

Australia additionally slumped to a 134-run defeat by South Africa in pool play however avenged that loss with a tense three-wicket semi-final win over the Proteas in Kolkata on Thursday.

Pink-hot Kohli

India made the ultimate by hammering New Zealand by 70 runs in Mumbai with a red-hot Virat Kohli hitting a report fiftieth ODI century.

Kohli, who surpassed compatriot Sachin Tendulkar‘s report of 49 tons, leads the match batting with 711 runs together with three a whole lot.

Rohit is the following finest Indian batsman with 550 runs and his management has been extensively praised — former England captain Nasser Hussain known as him a “actual hero”.

India additionally boast the match’s main bowler with Mohammed Shami taking 23 wickets in six matches, together with 7-57 in opposition to the Kiwis on Wednesday.

Regardless of shedding to India and South Africa of their first two matches of the match, Australia have bounced again.

They gained seven league video games on the trot with a hobbling Glenn Maxwell authoring a efficiency for the ages together with his undefeated 201 not out in opposition to Afghanistan, rescuing his staff from 91-7 and carrying them to their victory goal of 292.

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa is their high bowler with 22 wickets with pacemen Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who each performed within the 2015 World Cup profitable aspect, peaking on the proper time.

The brand new-ball duo lowered South Africa to 24-4 in Kolkata, with their performances key to establishing a repeat of the 2003 World Cup closing — the place Australia thrashed India by 125 runs in Johannesburg.

Sunday’s assembly would be the eighth between the 2 groups in ODIs in 2023.

“Now we have performed them a number of instances so we all know them inside-out,” Hazlewood advised reporters.

“Similar for them, with us. They’ve been a top quality staff, they’ve been on the march the entire match. No actual weaknesses of their staff, so wanting ahead to Sunday.”

India rode on the again of an explosive begin from opener Rohit (47) and Shubman Gill (80 not out after retiring harm) as they racked up 397-4 in opposition to New Zealand within the first semi-final.

However Hazlewood most popular to deal with the early phases of India’s pool chase in opposition to Australia, when the hosts had been three down for 2 runs in pursuit of a modest 200 to win.

“Hopefully much like final time we performed them,” Hazlewood mentioned on tackling the Indian top-order.

“We received them out cheaply. I feel we made them 3-3 perhaps so that might be excellent.”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)