India vs Australia LIVE: Cricket World Cup final reaction after Travis Head century leads Aussies to victory
Australia stunned hosts India to win the Cricket World Cup final by six wickets in Ahmedabad
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Australia won a record-extending sixth World Cup title after opener Travis Head smashed a magnificent century to fashion their six-wicket victory in Sunday’s final against the tournament’s form team India.
Put into bat, India rode battling half-centuries by KL Rahul and Virat Kohli to post a below-par 240 all out in exactly 50 overs at a packed Narendra Modi Stadium.
Australia suffered a top-order wobble of their own but Head’s 137 off 120 balls saw them romp home with seven overs to spare in a match that never reached great heights.
Around 93,000 predominantly Indian fans sat mostly in deathly silence as the home team, who had won 10 matches in a row to make the final, succumbed to their first loss of the tournament
Relive all the match action and reaction below:
AUSTRALIA WIN THE WORLD CUP!
Marnus Labuschagne, speaking after the game: “What we have achieved today is unbelievable, it’s the best achievement I have been part of.
“India have been the team of the tournament - they’ve played unbelievable - but you knew if we played our best cricket we had a chance. Our bowlers was sensational and then Travis [Head] was sensational. It was great to be a part of it with him
“I’m a man of faith and believe in god but the way everything has happened is unbelievable to me. I’m lost for words. The amount of times I thought I was done - even last night - I’m thankful to the coaches for sticking with me. Three months ago in South Africa, I wasn’t even in the one-day team so to play 19 games straight from there is a miracle. I have to give the thanks to God for that,”
AUSTRALIA WIN THE WORLD CUP!
We’ll hear from him later no doubt but the man of the match will surely be Travis Head. A masterful knock and just the seventh player to score a century in a World Cup Final:
AUSTRALIA WIN THE WORLD CUP!
The winning moments and celebrations from Australia:
AUSTRALIA WIN THE WORLD CUP!
Maxwell hits the winnings run and Australia have done it! The new batter needs just two runs and manages it with his very first ball.
A sea of yellow charge onto the field as Australia begin their celebrations. The Indian players are dejected - they went unbeaten until this match but have fallen at the final hurdle in front of their home fans.
But it’s Australia’s night. An impeccable display with the ball - led by their captain Cummins - and then a ruthless, clinical chase with the bat courtesy of that superb century from Head in that massive partnership with Labuschagne.
A record sixth World Cup and what a way to do it.
WICKET! Head c Gill b Siraj 137 (Australia 239-4)
What an innings from Head! The opener goes for the big shot to end it but he picks out Gill on the boundary rope and has to depart.
But it’s a match-winning knock from him regardless as he’s embraced by his teammates as he comes off the pitch.
Australia 239-3 (42.4) Labuschagne 58, Head 137, Siraj 0-43 (6.4), AUS need 10 off 44 balls
Head fancies finishing this sooner rather than later as he clubs Siraj over the top for another boundary. A couple of singles bring the required runs down to just two now.
Will they end it this over?
Australia 231-3 (42) Labuschagne 57, Head 130, Bumrah 0-43 (9), AUS need 10 off 48 balls
Just one off Bumrah’s penultimate over. You could almost hear a pin drop in this stadium now as Australia close in on victory. Just ten to go.
Australia 230-3 (41) Labuschagne 57, Head 129, Siraj 0-30 (6), AUS need 11 off 54 balls
Plenty of enthusiasm from the Australian bench as Labuschagne pulls another one fine for four. Five off the over and Australia are almost down to single digits now. Just 11 needed.
Australia 225-3 (40) Labuschagne 53, Head 128, Bumrah 0-42 (8), AUS need 16 off 60 balls
Bumrah comes back in for the final few overs with Kudleep all bowled out. Another single moves Labuschagne to 49.
And now he’ll get his half-century as he whips one off the pads with superb timing. It’s been a patient innings but no less important than Head’s superb knock at the other end.
Six off the over and Australia need just 16 now.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments