Australia beat India in a colossal World Cup final as they bagged their sixth ODI World Cup trophy after chasing down a modest total on Sunday.
Having asked to bat first, India were bundled up for 240 runs. Virat Kohli (54) and KL Rahul (66) scored half-centuries, but the Aussie pacers were the standout performers. Mitchell Starc bagged three wickets, while both Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins picked two each.
In response, Australia thronged to victory, courtesy of a match-winning innings by Travis Head. Finding his side struggling at 47-3, Head kept a calm head and delivered under pressure. The Southpaw scored a blistering knock of 137 runs, chasing the 241-run target in 41 overs.
As it turns out, another World Cup final is won by the chasing team. The past four ODI World Cups have been won by teams chasing in the final. Let us look back at the previous World Cups to prove relevance to the trend.
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What happened in the ODI World Cup 2011?
India won the ICC ODI World Cup 2011 against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium. India chased the target on the night in Mumbai.
Batting first, Sri Lanka scored 274 runs for six wickets at the end of 50 overs. Mahela Jayawardena scored a majestic century (103*) against the home team. Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan picked up two wickets each for Team India.
In the run chase, Gautam Gambhir turned up once again in an ICC Tournament final. The Delhi-born batsman scored 97, agonizingly missing out on a century. Skipper MS Dhoni played a match-winning knock of 91*, as he guided his team to victory.
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What happened in ODI World Cup 2015?
Australia won the ICC ODI World Cup 2015 against New Zealand at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Just like India, Australia chased the total set by New Zealand.
Winning the toss, New Zealand elected to bat first. The Kiwis' decision backfired massively, as it turned out. Australia bundled up their neighbours for a below-par score of 183. Grant Elliott was the lone-warrior for the Blackcaps, scoring 83 runs.
James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, and Mitchell Starc picked eight wickets between them, as Australia chased the target later in the night. David Warner provided the perfect start, scoring a 46-ball 45. Skipper Michael Clarke (74) and Steven Smith (56) scored half-centuries to ensure Australia won their fifth ODI World Cup title.
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What happened in ODI World Cup 2019?
England won the ICC ODI World Cup 2019 against New Zealand at the Lord's Cricket Ground in London. England continued the trend from the past World Cups, having won the trophy while chasing in the final.
New Zealand did not learn from their mistake from 2015. Four years later, New Zealand elected to bat first against England at the 2019 World Cup Final. Henry Nicholls (55) and Tom Latham (47) guided the Kiwis to a 241-run total. Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett bagged three wickets each on the big night.
The run chase ended in a tie. England were bundled up for a dramatic 241, as the match were to be decided by a super over. Ben Stokes (84*) and Jos Buttler (59) scored half-centuries to help England escape from a disgraceful end.
To everyone's surprise, the super-over ended in a tie (England -15/0, New Zealand -15/1). The hosts England then won the World Cup on boundary count (England -24, New Zealand -16).
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