In these collection of pictures, we try to analyse the top reasons of Team India's 209-run loss to Australia in the WTC Final.
On the final day, India's slim hopes rode on former India captain Virat Kohli. But Kohli went after a wide delivery off Scott Boland and was caught in second slip for 49 in the second innings. Kohli also failed in the 1st innings, scoring only 14 before edging Mitchell Starc to Steve Smith again. (Photo: AP)
Rohit Sharma's captaincy and his batting were both non-inspirational. Indian shoulders dropped soon after Rohit won the toss and decided to bowl first in face of Travis Head and Steve Smith's onslaught. Rohit failed as opener too, scoring 15 in the first innings and getting out to a ugly-looking shot in the second innings for 43. (Photo: AP)
Pacer Umesh Yadav was selected ahead of R. Ashwin to give India more wicket-taking options. But Umesh went wicket-less in the first innings as Australia posted 469 after Rohit Sharma elected to bowl first. (Photo: AP)
Cheteshwar Pujara was the only Indian batter with recent experience of playing in County cricket. But Pujara fell to injudicious shot selection in both the innings - leaving the ball to be bowled in the first innings and then attempting an upper-cut in the second innings. (Photo: AP)
A lot was expected from Shubman Gill, who was IPL 2023's Orange Cap winner with 890 runs. But Gill failed to cross 20-run mark in the WTC Final, although he fell to a debatable catch by Cameron Green in the second innings. (Photo: AP)
Ravinchandran Ashwin was the leading wicket-taker for India in the WTC 2021-23 cycle, claiming 61 wickets at 19.67. But Ashwin was dropped for WTC Final and Umesh Yadav was picked in his place. (Photo: ANI)
While Team India dropped off-spinner R. Ashwin, Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon claimed 4/41 in the second innings including the wicket of Indian captain Rohit Sharma for 43.