Close win for Rohit & Co today?

The main aim of an elite tournament like the menrsquos 50over World Cup is to have the two best teams reach the final after a competitive and exhausting roundrobin fixture listThe organisers wouldrsquove been over the moon when the favourites home team India skated to victory in the first semifinal Tournament wishes were then answered when the secondbest side Australia finding form at the appropriate time slipped into the final as South Africa faltered in typical style to lose a nailbiting second semifinalAlso ReadICC World Cup 2023 Super Sunday ShowdownAs ordered the two best teams in the final sadly without an ultracompetitive roundrobin part Now what we hope for all but the hometown pundits will be a finale fitting for the occasionBest batter bowler for IndiaIndia start favourites as the best allround side and they also boast both the leading run makermdashthe commanding Virat Kohlimdashand its wickettaker the metronomical Mohammed ShamiAlso Read ICC World Cup 2023 A look at Indias performances in finals of Cricket World CupAustralia are worthy opponents In Mitchell Starc they have not only a proven wickettaker but also a bowler whose leftarm variety has troubled Kohli In David Warner and Travis Head Australia possess an explosive opening partnership who will test the nerve of Indiarsquos formidable newball attack Then in the middle order is Glenn Maxwell an extraordinary power player who can be either an unstoppable match winner or a rank disappointment utilising exactly the same methodBoth teams have batsmen who can explode and post an almost impossible target but equally the two sides possess strong bowling attacks capable of restricting their opponents to an attainable targetThis is a mouthwatering matchup of the two best teams in the tournamentPerhaps itrsquos too much to hope for that a wellbalanced pitch is prepared that purely follows the instructions of the local groundsmen If that were to happen it would be ideal if the pesky dew then played no part in the end resultWin toss bat first First up what to do at the toss The team that win the coin flip should consider batting first and both putting a solid target on the board and also consigning their opponents to field in the heat of the afternoonThe last thing either India or Australia want in order to clinch the trophy is to be chasing a daunting target like the one New Zealand faced in the semifinalOne factor which will play a big part in deciding the final will be the nerve of each teamrsquos main bowlers The team that hold its nerve best when the other team choose full attack mode will go a long way towards winning the matchBowling for wickets rather than seeking containment is a must as is continuing to search for victims in the middleovers If a team are bowling to their opponentsrsquo best batsmen in the final overs of the innings they are destined to be facing a large targetThis is where Australia known to falter against good spin bowling possess a weakness India will be keen to exploit Australia will have to overcome that vulnerability if they are to prevail in the finalEqually Australia know if they can blast out a few toporder batsmen it will curb Indiarsquos desire to attack as they have an acknowledged fragile last four This is where Australiarsquos prodigious pace attack of Starc the relentless Josh Hazlewood and the inspirational Pat Cummins need to be at their best with the two new ballsItrsquos likely that Indian captain Rohit Sharma will try as hersquos done in the past to set the pattern by orchestrating a fast start If Australia are superb in the field as they were against South Africa it will make Rohitrsquos task more difficultIf the final is competitive it will boil down to a nailbiting cliffhanger which is exactly what you should expect from the two best teamsI expect India to perform at its best and Australia to falter slightly producing a narrow home town victory that will set off yet another wild round of celebrations