India vs Australia Live Score, World Cup 2023 Final: IND 203/6; Rahul dismissed by Starc on 66

17:14 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

OUT! An absolute jaffa from Starc as Rahul ends up nicking the ball to the keeper of what essentially is an unplayable delivey from the left-arm quick! His long vigil finally comes to an end after facing more than a hundred deliveries for his patient 66, as Starc inflicts a massive blow to India's hopes of posting a competitive target to the Aussies. IND 203/6

Rahul c Inglis b Starc 66(107)

17:04 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 40 overs,India 197/5 ( KL Rahul (W) 64 , Suryakumar Yadav 8)

SKY somewhat breaks the shackles by collecting a boundary off Zampa in the final ball of the 39th over, the leggie going for 10 in his eighth over. Hazlewood bowls a tidy over next up, conceding five singles as India reach 197/5 at the end of the second powerplay. They’re going at less than five-an-over at the moment and will need a serious acceleration in the last 10.

17:02 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

FOUR! First boundary for new batter Suryakumar Yadav and only the second for the Men in Blue since the end of the first powerplay! SKY decides to stay on the backfoot and guide the short, wide delivery from Zampa behind square in the final delivery of the 39th over! India will need a handful of those in the last 10 if they are to try and get to 270-280 from here. IND 192/5

16:56 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 38 overs,India 182/5 ( KL Rahul (W) 58 , Suryakumar Yadav 1)

Maxwell replaces Starc, and concedes just one in his sixth over. Not just that, he also appeals for a stumping against India’s key man Rahul in the fourth delivery. Rahul’s foot, however, is firmly grounded. The appeal might also have been to exert some pressure on what is the last recognised Indian pair at the centre. Hazlewood returns from the other end and concedes just three singles in his seventh.

16:47 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 36 overs,India 178/5 ( KL Rahul (W) 55 , Suryakumar Yadav 0)

OUT! Hazlewood strikes on his return to the attack, getting a faint nick off the outer edge of Jadeja’s bat as India lose their fifth wicket. There’s reverse swing on offer at the moment and Cummins decided to have two of his frontline quicks to exploit the same. Hazlewood had appealed for caught-behind against Jadeja in the previous delivery, and the Aussies wasted a review. Jadeja looks to defend in the following delivery as well, and this time there’s an audible nick soon as the ball passes the bat.

Jadeja c Inglis b Hazlewood 9(22)

16:44 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 35 overs,India 173/4 ( KL Rahul (W) 50 , Ravindra Jadeja 9)

FIFTY up for KL Rahul in 86 deliveries — collecting just one four along the way, which happesn to be the only boundary India have scored since the end of the first powerplay. Brings up the milestone with a single off Starc in the left-arm quick’s seventh over.

16:33 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 34 overs,India 169/4 ( KL Rahul (W) 48 , Ravindra Jadeja 7)

Starc returns for another burst after the drinks interval, and we see some signs of reverse swing already. Head, who had bowled just one over so far today, replaces Zampa from the other end. Four added to the Indian total in that over including a couple of leg byes. India, meanwhile, have collected just one boundary in the last 24 overs. This has been an exceptional comeback from the Australians after the fiery start from Rohit.

16:23 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 32 overs,India 162/4 ( KL Rahul (W) 45 , Ravindra Jadeja 5)

Six off Cummins’ seventh over, including a brace to Rahul in the first delivery after the keeper-bat pulls towards deep midwicket, where Warner puts in a slide to save a couple of runs. Cummins has been sensational so far today, collecting two wickets for just 23 runs in seven overs so far today. Four singles conceded by Zampa in the following over, and the umpire signals for drinks to be brought to the field at the end of the 32nd.

16:21 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 30 overs,India 152/4 ( KL Rahul (W) 39 , Ravindra Jadeja 1)

Huge moment in the game after Cummins strikes for a second time, this time sending Kohli back to the pavilion shortly after he brings up his half-century. Zampa continues from the other end, and loudly appeals for a stumping against Jadeja, who walks in ahead of Surya, in the final delivery of the 30th over. Jadeja’s foot, however, is firmly planted behind the crease and there’s no nick off his bat either. India managed to cross 150 at the end of the 30th over but are running out of recognised batters at the moment. Remember, they don’t bat deep the way the Aussies do. So they’ll need one of Rahul, Jadeja and SKY to not only bat deep but also score big to try and get India past 300.

16:10 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

BOWLED! Stunned silence at Motera as Kohli departs right after bringing up his half-century, chopping a rising delivery from Cummins onto the stumps while looking to push it towards the off side. Kohli would have hoped to play a long innings given his approach post-powerplay, and will be gutted at having to depart with more than 20 overs left. IND 148/4

Kohli b Cummins 54(63)

16:07 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 28 overs,India 146/3 ( Virat Kohli 53 , KL Rahul (W) 36)

FOUR! India finally have a boundary after more than 16 overs, with Rahul directing the ball towards the fine leg fence off the second delivery of Maxwell’s fifth over. That should ease some of the pressure for the two set batters. Seven off Maxwell’s over. Zampa continues from the other end and concedes four singles. Partnership might start to worry the Aussies a little at the moment.

15:59 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 26 overs,India 135/3 ( Virat Kohli 50 , KL Rahul (W) 28)

Half-century up for Virat Kohli — his 9th in this World Cup and the fifth consecutive time he’s gone past the fifty mark in this World Cup! Kohli has had to slow things down after getting off to a promising start, taking 55 deliveries to bring up the milestone today.

15:58 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 25 overs,India 131/3 ( Virat Kohli 49 , KL Rahul (W) 25)

More bowling changes for the Aussies with Starc, Marsh and Maxwell bowling over numbers 23, 24 and 25. A total of 10 runs are collected in this phase as India reach 131/3 at the halfway stage of their innings. Kohli collects a single off the final delivery of the 25th over to bring up fifty of the partnership with Rahul, the pair consuming 88 deliveries along the way without collecting a single boundary! Their approach certainly has been a big gamble so far.

15:47 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 22 overs,India 121/3 ( Virat Kohli 42 , KL Rahul (W) 22)

And now it’s Travis Head who replaces Mitchell Marsh, with Cummins shuffling his bowlers around the way Rohit did against the Dutch last Sunday in Bengaluru. Head had proved quite handy with the ball against South Africa, breaking the 95-run stand between Miller and Klaasen to bring Australia back into the game. Cummins will be hopeful of his part-time off-spin breaking this partnership which is now worth 40.

15:35 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 20 overs,India 115/3 ( Virat Kohli 39 , KL Rahul (W) 19)

Change from both ends as Cummins continues to shuffle his bowlers around. The Aussie skipper decides to take a break after a tidy five-over spell, bringing Hazlewood in his place. Single off each delivery in Hazlewood’s fourth over with Kohli and Rahul looking to keep the scoreboard ticking as frequently as possible even if the boundaries aren’t coming as regularly as possible. Mitchell Marsh introduced from the other end and he concedes just two singles. India haven’t collected a boundary since the last over of the powerplay, and it no doubt has allowed Australia to gain the upper hand in the last 10 overs. Thanks to Rohit’s attacking start, however, India’s run-rate is still close to six-an-over!

15:27 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 18 overs,India 107/3 ( Virat Kohli 35 , KL Rahul (W) 15)

Cummins continues to build pressure from one end, conceding just three singles. He’s conceded just 14 in five overs so far and has not only bagged the wicket of Shreyas Iyer, but nearly accounted for Kohli not long after. He then decides to bring Maxwell back in place of Zampa in the following over. Maxwell had gone for 21 in his first two overs thanks to Rohit and Kohli’s early charge, but knows Kohli and Rahul are under pressure at the moment. Concedes three in his third over, including a brace to Rahul in the fourth ball.

15:19 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

STAT: Rohit Sharma finishes with 597 runs in the 2023 ICC World Cup with his 31-ball 47. Had he brought up his half-century, he would have become the first batter to post 600-plus runs in two different editions of the ICC World Cup, doing so in back-to-back editions. David Warner, however, can pull that off later in the day. He had collected 647 in 2019, and needs another 72 to go past 600 for a second consecutive time.

15:15 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 16 overs,India 101/3 ( Virat Kohli 34 , KL Rahul (W) 10)

Bit of a pause after the 14th over as a spectator makes his way to the centre, apparently to get as close to Kohli as possible. Kohli is nearly dismissed off Cummins’ bowling in the Aussie skipper’s fourth over after a miscued pull off the toe end of his bat lands safely in no man’s land near midwicket. Three singles conceded by Cummins. Zampa gives away four singles in the 16th, after which the umpire signals for drinks to be brought to the field.

15:11 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 14 overs,India 94/3 ( Virat Kohli 30 , KL Rahul (W) 7)

Tidy couple of overs from Cummins and Zampa with just seven singles being collected in the 13th and 14th overs. Kohli and Rahul are in rebuilding mode at the moment, and wouldn’t mind a few dots leading up to the 20th over.

15:08 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 12 overs,India 87/3 ( Virat Kohli 26 , KL Rahul (W) 4)

Cummins strikes in his second over, dismissing the red-hot Shreyas Iyer for just 4 as Australia strike for a second time in as many overs. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa is finally introduced on the other side of the first powerplay, replacing Glenn Maxwell after the offie delivers the key wicket of Rohit. Tidy start for Zampa with just five singles coming from the over. India did get off the a superb start in the powerplay, but will need a couple of big partnerships going forward if they are to post a big total on the board today. The pitch after all is slow at the moment and is expected to get slightly easier later in the day.

14:57 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

OUT! Iyer doesn’t last long today as Australia fight back after the expensive opening powerplay with two wickets in as many overs! And this time it’s Shreyas Iyer, who had collected back-to-back hundreds heading into the grand finale, who departs for 4 after nicking the ball to the keeper. IND 81/3

Iyer c Inglis b Cummins 4(3)

14:55 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 10 overs,India 80/2 ( Virat Kohli 23 , Shreyas Iyer 4)

FOUR! Shreyas Iyer opens his account in style with a lovely drive off the backfoot off the final delivery of the opening powerplay. India race to 80/2 at the end of the 10 over mark and that is a start as good as it can get! Once again thanks primarily to skipper Rohit Sharma, who misses out on a half-century but does the job that is expected of him with a quickfire 47!

14:51 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

OUT! Huge wicket for the Aussies as Rohit's entertaining knock once again comes to an end inside the powerplay! Rohit decides to take the aerial route once again against Maxwell after collecting a six and a four off the offie, and this time gets a thick leading edge. Terrific catch by Travis Head running in the opposite direction from cover! IND 76/2

Rohit c Head b Maxwell 47(31)

14:48 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

SIX! Rohit decides to perform a little skip down the ground and takes the aerial route down town in Maxwell’s second over. Australia have a man stationed at long on but he can only watch the ball sail over his head. FOUR! Rohit follows up the maximum with a four off Maxwell, this time producing a firm cut through cover point. IND 76/1

14:46 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 9 overs,India 66/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 37 , Virat Kohli 23)

Tidy start for Australia skipper Pat Cummins as with just five being added to the Indian total, including a brace to Kohli in the final delivery. India are going at over seven-an-over in the powerplay, and will hope to score big in the final over of field restrictions as well.

14:41 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 8 overs,India 61/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 35 , Virat Kohli 21)

Spin introduced for the first time today, and it’s Glenn Maxwell who gets the ball ahead of Adam Zampa. Maxwell did a fairly commendable job to keep the South African batters quiet in the semi-final while Zampa had been smashed all over the Eden Gardens. He does concede a boundary in his first over four, offering Kohli enough width for a firm cut in the penultimate delivery.

14:40 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

FOUR! And now a boundary off spin, with Kohli cutting a short, wide delivery from Glenn Maxwell in the penultimate delivery of the eighth over to collect his fourth boundary. IND 61/1

14:37 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 7 overs,India 54/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 33 , Virat Kohli 16)

FOUR! FOUR! FOUR! Virat Kohli announces himself in the World Cup final with a hat-trick of boundaries in Mitchell Starc’s fourth over! The first one’s a bit of a mishit that flies wide of mid on and rolls all the way to the fence. Kohli follows it up with a crisp square drive, neatly threading the gap through the off-side cordon. Next up is a drive well in front of square, the third consecutive boundary bringing up the team fifty for the Men in Blue. 14 off Starc’s fourth, with Kohli and Rohit collecting a single each later in the over.

14:33 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 6 overs,India 40/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 32 , Virat Kohli 3)

Good over from Hazlewood after conceding 22 in his first two, this time allowing Rohit and Kohli just three singles.

14:32 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 5 overs,India 37/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 31 , Virat Kohli 1)

SIX! And Rohit puts the Aussies under pressure once again, ending the over which sees Starc remove Gill with his second maximum of the day — this time going inside out over long off! New batter Virat Kohli, meanwhile, got off the mark with a single in the previous delivery.

14:28 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

In the airrr... and taken! Shubman Gill doesn't last long today as Mitchell Starc strikes in his third over! Gill attempts to emulate his partner's attacking approach, but his attempt at a pull ends up as a chip straight into Adam Zampa's waiting hands at mid on. With that, Australia have a wicket in the powerplay that they were hopeful of. IND 30/1

Gill c Zampa b Starc 4(7)

14:25 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 4 overs,India 30/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 25 , Shubman Gill 4)

FOUR! 10 runs in two deliveries for Rohit, who’s once again doing his job of acing the powerplay in the final against the Aussies. After the pull, Rohit decides to push the ball down the ground, beating mid on to collect his third four. 12 off the over, the best one for the Indians so far!

14:24 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

SIX! First maximum of the innings, and it expectedly comes off Rohit Sharma's bat — and off his favourite pull shot too! Was a slower delivery from Hazlewood that Rohit picked. Waits for another second before swinging his bat for a pull, clearing the midwicket fence. IND 26/0

14:21 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 3 overs,India 18/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 14 , Shubman Gill 3)

EDGED… and safe! Shubman Gill nicks the ball towards slips in his first delivery of the day, facing Starc first up. Fortunately for him, the ball lands just short of the slip cordon, and he gets off strike with a single in the process. Starc concedes a wide down the leg side next up. Gill later collects a brace. Three from the over.

14:12 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 2 overs,India 13/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 13 , Shubman Gill 0)

FOUR! FOUR! Now that’s how you respond to Australia’s attacking lines and their outstanding fielding. Rohit decides to charge down the track in the second delivery and launch the ball in the air over extra cover to collect the first boundary of the innings and put Josh Hazlewood, who bowls the second over, under pressure right away. Rohit then pulls the next one wide of the midwicket fielder, with the ball beating the man running to his left from deep backward square. 10 off the over, with Rohit having collected a brace in the first delivery after guiding the ball towards third man with soft hands.

14:11 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

After 1 over,India 3/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 3 , Shubman Gill 0)

Tidy first over from Mitchell Starc, who appeals for LBW against India skipper Rohit Sharma first ball which the umpire turns down right away. Was pitching outside leg and appeared to be missing the stump anyway. Rohit opens India’s account by steering a full, wide delivery from the left-arm pacer in the second delivery. India had protection in that direction and allow just a double. Australia once again are fielding superbly, making a couple of sharp saves.

14:03 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

The national anthems — Advance Australia Fair followed by Jana Gana Mana — are sung rather passionately by both teams given the occasion, with the Indian team having more than a lakh people singing along with them. The IAF Surya Kiran team had been conducting its air show right up to the toss, and does one last act before the players — skipper Rohit Sharma and opening partner Shubman Gill along with the 11 Australians — walk out for the grand finale to get underway!

13:44 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

Playing XIs:

India: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

Australia: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis(wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins(c), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

13:40 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

Pat Cummins, Australia captain: Looks like a bit of a dry wicket. (Dew) is one factor. This venue has got better and better to bat. Been really proud with the group. Tough start. A couple of years ago when they announced the final will be here, I thought it will be a big game. Same team as semi-final.

Rohit Sharma, India captain: I would have batted first. Looks like a good pitch. Put runs on the board. It’s going to be amazing. Everytime we play here, crowd comes out in large numbers. It’s a big one, we all know that. Get the job done. It’s a great feeling honestly. It’s a dream come true to be captaining in the final. We just need to play well and get the job done. It’s about staying calm and composed. We’re playing the same team.

13:33 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

TOSS: Australia win the toss, and skipper Pat Cummins opts to bowl. Did someone say similarities with the 2003 final? Well here’s another one!

Boos ring around the ginormous venue after it's the man in yellow who calls correctly at the flip of the coin.

13:25 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

Ravi Shastri and Matthew Hayden analyse pitch number five at the Narendra Modi Stadium that will be in use for the World Cup final today:

RS: It’s different from the India-Pakistan pitch. Left open for a while. Looks very dry and patchy. Wasn’t rolled too much. In the Pakistan surface, there was a fair bit of spin. Will assist spin. Dew isn’t in your hand. It’s uncontrollable. Batting first and getting runs on the board is premium, but a side like India won’t be too bothered. Watch that, react to that and play the game. From India, just carry on from where they left.

MH: Forget the wicket, forget the crowd. Play the ball. 2003. That’s the gameplan. Get a big total on the board. If they don’t bat first, throw some punches early. X-Factor to me is going to be Adam Zampa. X-Factor with the bat has to be in the top three. Travis Head.

13:03 (IST)

IND vs AUS Final 

We will be bringing the match LIVE on YouTube as well where you will be able to catch all the updates.

LIVE on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7soxP-ifkI

12:50 (IST)

Rohit: The Powerplay King

No one has been a better batter in the opening powerplay than Indian captain Rohit Sharma. This transformation has been the driving force for India in the World Cup 2023. In 10 matches, Rohit has scored 354 runs in powerplay at an incredible strike rate of 133. He has hit a whopping 21 sixes in the powerplay. 

12:48 (IST)

World Cup final: The importance of powerplay 

This World Cup has shown that the opening powerplay can be the most crucial phase of the match. Teams who have done well in the first powerplay have often gone on to win the match. The same happened in the semis. India scored briskly in the first 10 overs and then went on to make an insurmountable 397/4. Australia applied the same strategy as they completed the tricky 213-run chase against South Africa. More on that here.

12:42 (IST)

India vs Australia Squads:

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (w), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan, Prasidh Krishna

Australia: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis (w), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Cameron Green

12:39 (IST)

IND vs AUS Final: Predicted XIs

There are reports that the match could be played on a used and slow surface which means spinners can have a big role. So in this case should India include R Ashwin? The veteran spinner is a good choice but unless the track is a rank turner, India should stick to their winning XI. 

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammad Shami

Australia: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa

12:21 (IST)

How many people will watch the final?

India is set to break the world record for highest highest-attended cricket match during the World Cup final. 1,32,000 fans are expected to attend the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium. 

12:09 (IST)

Everything you need to know about the world's largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad

The Narendra Modi Stadium was built in 1982 but was revamped and renovated in 2020 when it was given its new name. It was renovated at a cost of Rs 800 crore. The stadium has a capacity of 1,32,000. Has a parking capacity for 3,000 cars and 10,000 two-wheelers. It has 76 corporate boxes with a seating capacity of 25 each. 

Melbourne Cricket Ground with 95,00 capacity was the biggest stadium before the Ahmedabad stadium was renovated. 

11:54 (IST)

'Havan' and 'prayers' for Team India

Indian fans across the country are conducting 'havans' and 'pujas' to wish Team India best of the luck. Prayers were also conducted in Mahakal temple in Ujjain and at the banks of river Ganga in Varanasi. Some brilliant visuals have come from across the country. Can watch them here

11:52 (IST)

IND vs AUS LIVE

Pat Cummins wants to silence the Indian crowd. 1,30,000 fans are expected to attend the World Cup final in Ahmedabad. 

“The crowd’s obviously going to be very one-sided but it’s also in sport there’s nothing more satisfying than hearing a big crowd go silent and that’s the aim for us tomorrow. Yeah, you’ve just got to embrace every part of it, every part of a final even you know in the lead-up there’s going to be noise and more people and interest and you just can’t get overwhelmed. You got to be up for it, you got to love it and just know whatever happens it’s fine but you just want to finish the day with no regrets,” he said on the eve of the final.