NEW DELHI: Amid scenes of emotional distress, Indian players were seen leaving the field with tears in their eyes after losing the ODI World Cup final to Australia in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
India’s dream of winning a third ODI World Cup trophy came crashing down, when the Aussies defeated the hosts at the Narendra Modi Stadium by six wickets to win their sixth title in the showpiece event of the 50-over format.
And once the players walked out of the field, they were seen being consoled by their better halves, as Virat Kohli’s wife Anushka gave her husband a warm hug. Kohli was declared the ‘Player of the Series’ for his 765 runs in 11 matches, but the biggest prize, the World Cup trophy, eluded him and the team.
Despite half-centuries by Kohli (54) and KL Rahul (66), India could put up only 240 on the board after being asked to bat first by Australia skipper Pat Cummins, who won the toss.
India’s bowling, which had been the talk of the town in their 10 consecutive wins before losing in the final, had no answer to the skills of Australia opener Travis Head, who scored a 120-ball 137 to take his team to victory with seven overs to spare.
Head added 192 runs with Marnus Labuschagne (58) after Australia’s run-chase started on the wrong note, losing three wickets for just 47 runs.
Source: The Times of India
