The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 ended on a disappointing note for millions of fans who were rooting for Team India to win their third title at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi stadium. However, their hopes were quashed by Australia in the final who put in a clinical performance to clinch an unprecedented sixth World Cup title.
Put to bat on a slow and sluggish pitch, Australia restricted India to 240 runs with Virat Kohli making 54 and K L Rahul scoring 66. Travis Head slammed a century (137 off 120 balls), while Marnus Labuschagne scored 58 to complete the chase in 43 overs with six wickets remaining.
India were on an incredible run at the tournament, winning 10 games in a row before losing the final to Australia. Whereas, the Aussies lost the first two matches of the tournament to India and South Africa before winning their remaining group-stage matches to secure a semifinal spot. They beat the Proteas in the semifinal and then dashed India’s hopes to win the ultimate prize.
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The sombre mood of the country was mirrored on social media as many celebrities and brands reflected on the loss and praised Team India for their resilience.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was at the stadium named after him and also presented the World Cup trophy to Australia captain Pat Cummins, took to X to lift the hopes of the team. “Dear Team India, Your talent and determination through the World Cup was noteworthy. You’ve played with great spirit and brought immense pride to the nation. We stand with you today and always,” PM Modi wrote.
Dear Team India,
Your talent and determination through the World Cup was noteworthy. You’ve played with great spirit and brought immense pride to the nation.
We stand with you today and always.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 19, 2023
Actor Shah Rukh Khan wrote on X, “The way the Indian team has played this whole tournament is a matter of honour and they showed great spirit and tenacity. It’s a sport and there are always a bad day or two. Unfortunately it happened today….but thank u Team India for making us so proud of our sporting legacy in cricket…u bring too much cheer to the whole of India. Love and respect. You make us one proud Nation.”
The way the Indian team has played this whole tournament is a matter of honour and they showed great spirit and tenacity. It’s a sport and there are always a bad day or two. Unfortunately it happened today….but thank u Team India for making us so proud of our sporting legacy in…
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) November 19, 2023
Former cricketer Yuvraj Singh said, “The final result may not have been in our favour, but you created unforgettable moments and made us proud!”
Congratulations on this incredible journey all through the #WorldCup campaign 🇮🇳
The final result may not have been in our favour, but you created unforgettable moments and made us proud!
You brought the entire nation together with what you achieved as a team ❤️ 🇮🇳 Chin up… pic.twitter.com/GAJLcn6mv7
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) November 19, 2023
Ex-cricketer Virender Sehwag posted along similar lines, “We can hold our heads high for the effort our boys gave throughout the tournament, they gave us many moments of joy throughout the WC, but unfortunately weren’t able to cross the line in the finals.”
Many Congratulations Australia on winning the World Cup. They were the best side on the day of the finals. Travis Head was simply unbelievable,was the POTM in WTC finals,won the semis for Aus and played one of the best ever innings in a WC Final and finished the game.
Australia’s…— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) November 19, 2023
Industrialist Anand Mahindra underlined that the team’s loss in the final showed how “sport is the greatest teacher of humility”.
—Sport is the greatest teacher of humility.
—Team India was amazing in every way and came much further than anyone had hoped for initially.
~~We need to support our men in blue now, more than ever.Yes all of the above is true. But I’ve also learned that, in life, one should… pic.twitter.com/E3o5D7Lr7y
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) November 19, 2023
Food aggregator and delivery app Zomato posted a tweet of former India cricket team captain M S Dhoni from 2012 and wrote, “U win some u lose some. but we’ll never stop supporting you, Team India.”
chodo yaar kuch aur baat karte hai pic.twitter.com/wjR7nI98ct
— Swiggy (@Swiggy) November 19, 2023
To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You 💙#INDvsAUS
— Netflix India (@NetflixIndia) November 19, 2023
Well played, #TeamIndia 🇮🇳
We will come stronger than ever! 🫂
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) November 19, 2023
Travis Head was declared player of the match for his stupendous innings while Virat Kohli won the player of the tournament for scoring 765 runs in 11 matches at an average of 95.62.
