World Cup 2023: Revisiting 2003 final, when Ricky Ponting's Australia steamrolled India in Johannesburg

After exciting 47 matches and an action-packed cricket of more than one month, the World Cup 2023 final is all set to be played this weekend. An unbeaten Team India will take on a buoyant Australia in the summit clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, 19 November.

Hosts India defeated last edition’s runners-up New Zealand by 70 runs to seal their berth in the World Cup final. Five-time champions Australia, on the other hand, got the better of South Africa by three wickets in the other semi-final to fix the final tie against India.

The two bitter rivals had previously faced each other in the World Cup final in Johannesburg back in 2003 and India, under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly, had to concede a defeat in that game by 125 runs.

As India and Australia are all set to clash against each other in the World Cup final once again, we take a look at the 2003 summit clash which took place at the New Wanderers Stadium.

Ponting and Co steamroll India at the ‘Bullring’

A young Indian team displayed a fabulous brand of cricket to win five out of six group stage matches along with three in three in the Super Sixes at the eighth World Cup. In the semis, India defeated Kenya by 91 runs to qualify for the final. Meanwhile, Australia claimed a 48-run victory against Sri Lanka in the other semi-final.

The Australian cricket team entered the final clash as the heavyweights and Ricky Ponting’s men did justice to their favorite tag. Winning the toss, Team India skipper Sourav Ganguly decided to bowl first. The decision proved to be a disastrous one as Australia posted a mammoth total of 359/2. Aussie opening batters Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden set up a solid foundation for their side having stitched a partnership of 105.

India’s Harbhajan Singh provided a vital breakthrough for his side in the 14th over having dismissed Gilchrist for 57. Hayden was the next batter to return to the dressing room having been a victim to Harbhajan’s lethal spin bowling in the 20th over.

With Australia losing two wickets in quick succession, India seemed to have got an upper hand in the final but what unfolded after that was nothing less than a miracle. Australia skipper Ponting and Damien Martyn came up with spectacular batting to guide their side to a humongous total of 359. While Ponting produced a sublime century, Martyn remained unbeaten on 88.

India had a horrific start to their run chase having lost Sachin Tendulkar for four in the very first over. India could never regain the momentum during the chase as they kept losing wickets in quick succession. Virender Sehwag emerged as India’s lone, valiant warrior having pulled off a commendable knock of 82 off 81 balls. But Sehwag’s knock proved to be futile as India folded for 234.

For Australia, their premier pacer Glenn McGrath turned out to be the best bowler of the contest having scalped three wickets. Brett Lee and Andrew Symonds supported McGrath nicely, having picked up two wickets each. Ricky Ponting was, quite rightfully, named the Player of the Final for his stupendous knock of unbeaten 140.