Ravichandran Ashwin, a prominent member of Team India in the 2023 ODI Cricket World Cup, commended Australia for their strategic prowess in securing a historic sixth title. Reflecting on the summit clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Ashwin emphasized that Australia’s victory was not a result of destiny or luck but a testament to their tactical brilliance.
In a recent commentary on his YouTube channel, Ashwin shared insights into Australia’s unexpected decision to bowl first after winning the toss. Contrary to historical trends of opting to bat, Australia’s tactical shift was based on a thorough analysis of the black soil pitch, which tends to favor batting conditions in the evening.
“Australia did not win because of destiny or luck. They were tactically outstanding in the final,” Ashwin emphasized. He acknowledged being deceived by Australia’s decision, expecting them to follow the traditional approach of batting first. However, he revealed that the pitch used for the final was from Odisha, offering a surface that wouldn’t disintegrate excessively.
Ashwin recounted a mid-innings interaction with George Bailey, Australia’s chairman of selectors, who clarified the rationale behind their decision. Bailey explained that experiences on red-soil surfaces, such as the game against South Africa in Lucknow, led them to realize the advantage of chasing on black soil surfaces, especially with the ball skidding well in the dewy conditions.
The Indian spinner also credited Australia for their strategic move of including the injured Travis Head in the squad for the first half of the World Cup. Head’s impactful performances in the semi-final and final, earning him the player of the match accolade, were crucial to Australia’s triumph.
