- By Manik Sharma
- Mon, 20 Nov 2023 12:43 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
World Cup 2023 Final: India faced a disappointing night at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, succumbing to a six-wicket defeat against the formidable Australian team. While the result was not the dream conclusion India had envisioned, the tournament offered several positive aspects to reflect upon.
India's prolific run-scorer Virat Kohli was honoured with the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Player of the Tournament, cementing his status as one of the game's modern legends. Throughout the competition, Kohli showcased his masterful skills, registering at least a half-century in nine out of his 11 innings.
His aggregate of 765 runs in the tournament established a new benchmark, surpassing the previous record set by Sachin Tendulkar in the 2003 edition. Tendulkar's record of 673 runs was eclipsed by Kohli's stellar performance in the tournament.
The Indian maestro concluded the tournament with an outstanding average of 95.62 and a commendable strike rate of 90.31. Kohli's remarkable journey included three centuries, achieved against Bangladesh and South Africa in the league stage, and a crucial one against New Zealand in the semi-finals.
The third century marked a historic moment, elevating Kohli to the status of the leading century-maker in the history of One Day Internationals, with a remarkable tally of 50 centuries.
Virat Kohli's record-breaking feat unfolded at the Wankhede Stadium, Tendulkar's home ground, adding another layer of significance to the achievement. Despite his valiant efforts, including a composed half-century of 54 runs against Australia in the final, India fell short in their pursuit of victory.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Shami emerged as the tournament's leading wicket-taker, showcasing his lethal bowling masterclass. With an impressive tally of 24 wickets in just seven games, Shami's impact was unparalleled. The speedster's three five-wicket hauls in the tournament set a new standard for individual bowling excellence in a single edition of the World Cup.
Shami's exceptional performance was highlighted by his best bowling figures of seven for 57 against New Zealand in the semi-final, with a remarkable strike rate of 12.20 and an impressive average of 10.70.