In the aftermath of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final, Suresh Raina, a former Cricket World Cup winner for India, highlighted the pivotal role played by Australian skipper Pat Cummins’ astute captaincy. Cummins’ bold decision to send India into bat proved advantageous as Australia successfully limited the hosts to a modest total of 240, securing a six-wicket victory fueled by Travis Head’s brilliant century.
Raina commended Cummins not only for the strategic toss decision but also for his shrewd bowling rotations and tactical maneuvers against the Indian team. The inclusion of Glenn Maxwell, resulting in a crucial wicket, and Cummins himself dismissing Virat Kohli showcased the effectiveness of Australia’s game plan.
The Indian cricketer further emphasized the significance of Australia’s exceptional fielding performance, estimating that they saved 30 to 40 runs. From the outset, Australia demonstrated a commitment to preventing singles and boundaries, with standout catches from Travis Head, David Warner, and Marnus Labuschagne.
Raina acknowledged Cummins’ temperament in captaincy, noting the well-executed plans and strategic changes in bowling that applied pressure to each Indian batter. Australia’s victory marked their sixth in the 50-over World Cup history, while India, with two previous triumphs in 1983 and 2011, fell short of adding another title.
Despite India’s disappointment in this tournament, Raina expressed confidence in their future performance. He believes the team’s ability to reach tournament latter stages indicates a learning curve in managing pressure situations, especially at home. Raina anticipates that these lessons will serve the Indian team well in the next World Cup edition in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in 2027.
