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
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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 214-3 (38) Labuschagne 45, Head 125, Kuldeep 0-56 (10), AUS need 27 off 72 balls
Another huge six! This is impeccable ball-striking from Head as he launches another into the stand. India can only stand and watch at this stage - it’s simply a matter of time now.
Another ten from the over - Australia need just 27 now.
Australia 204-3 (37) Labuschagne 43, Head 117, Siraj 0-25 (4), AUS need 37 off 78 balls
With Jadeja bowled out, Siraj comes back into the attack. He’s bowled just three overs today but will need to summon something otherworldly if he’s to get his side back into this game.
That certainly won’t help as Head heaves the Indian quick into the stands for his third six of the evening. Australia move past 200 now and need under 40 to win.
Australia 195-3 (36) Labuschagne 42, Head 109, Kuldeep 0-46 (9), AUS need 46 off 84 balls
I’m not quite sure what you say to your players at drinks if you are Rohit. His side look deflated, as does the crowd as Australia look set to cruise to victory here.
Three from Kuldeep’s over - Australia need only 46 now to win.
Australia 192-3 (35) Labuschagne 41, Head 107, Jadeja 0-43 (10), AUS need 49 off 15 overs
Six! A huge shot from Head as he continues to put his foot down, sweeping high and handsomely into the stands. A masterful innings just keeps getting better.
Seven off Jadeja’s final over and Australia now need under 50 runs to wrap up this World Cup final.
Australia 185 -3 (34) Labuschagne 41, Head 100, Kuldeep 0-43 (8), AUS need 56 off 16 overs
Shot! Head clips Kuldeep for four to relieve some of the pressure building after those tight overs. He moves into the nineties now.
Now he’s closing in on the three figures. Another four over mid-on before a further two leaves him on 99. Superb batting.
He taps and goes now...a direct hit and he would have been out! The Indian fielder misses and Head has his century! A superb knock from the opener to leave his nation on the brink of victory. His teammates applaud as the stadium falls silent.
Australia 174-3 (34) Labuschagne 41, Head 89, Jadeja 0-36 (9), AUS need 67 off 17 overs
Jadeja is into his penultimate over here but still unable to prize a wicket out from these two Aussie batters. A tight over - just two from it - but India know they need more than that at this stage.
Australia 172-3 (32) Labuschagne 40, Head 88, Kuldeep 0-32 (7), AUS need 69 off 18 overs
India need some magic as they turn to Kuldeep again. The legspinner has been superb throughout the tournament and how would India love an inspired last four overs from him now.
It’s not coming this over for India as Australia take another two from it.
Australia 170-3 (31) Labuschagne 39, Head 87, Jadeja 0-34 (8), AUS need 71 off 19 overs
A comfortable three of that over as Labuschagne clips one into the leg side for two off the final ball. It’s all a bit too easy for Australia right now.
Australia 167-3 (30) Labuschagne 37, Head 86, Bumrah 2-36 (7), AUS need 74 off 20 overs
A good over from Bumrah - just two runs from it - but they need more. Without a few wickets, Australia will remain in charge of this run chase.
Australia 165-3 (29) Labuschagne 36, Head 85, Jadeja 0-31 (7), AUS need 76 off 21 overs
Just three from the over but that’s fine for Australia. The required run rate is under four an over and these two will want to see it through to the end for their side now.
India NEED a breakthrough...
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