Déjà Vu Strikes: India’s 2023 WTC Final Defeat Brings Back Haunting Memories Of 2003 World Cup Final

India’s quest for the ICC trophy continues as they suffered a devastating 209-run defeat at the hands of Australia in the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final at the iconic Oval. From the outset, Australia dominated the game, posting a first innings total of 469, leaving India to catch up with little success. Despite a brilliant knock from Ajinkya Rahane and resilient performances from lower-order batsmen Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur, India could only manage a total of 296 runs. In the fourth innings, Australia set India a crucial target of 444 runs to chase, but the Indian team fell well short of the mark.

Similarities Between 2003 and 2023 #Indus ICC Final.

India won the toss and chose bowling.
Mammoth first innings total.
Australian batsman scoring a century.
The downfall of the Indian batsmen.
Indian high scores in the 80s.
India is losing. pic.twitter.com/tNoWmFyW98– Babu Bhaiya (@Shahrcasm) June 10, 2023

Feeling of Déjà Vu from 2003 World Cup

The horrifying memories of the 2003 World Cup final began to haunt Indian cricket fans. In that match, India’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss at the Wanderers Stadium in Jo’burg was severely criticized. Australia piled on a mammoth score of 359, which proved insurmountable for India. Similarly, current Indian captain Rohit Sharma faced the wrath of fans for his choice to let Australia bat first despite the weather being clear.

To compound matters, India’s fourth innings collapse in the Oval Test, being bowled out for 234, mirrored their performance in the 2003 World Cup final. Thereafter, India could only muster a score of 234 in their chase of Australia’s total of 360, resulting in a disastrous 125-run defeat.

Benching star spinners: A questionable decision

Curiously, India opted to leave out star spinners in both the 2003 World Cup final and the 2023 WTC final. In 2003, Anil Kumble was dropped from the playing XI, with Harbhajan Singh being preferred instead. Similarly, Ravichandran Ashwin has ruled himself out for a crucial clash in 2023 as India opt for a four-pace attack.

Painful replay of 2015 WC SF and 2017 finals

Eerie parallels extend to India’s defeats in the 2015 World Cup semi-final and the 2017 Champions Trophy final. In the 2015 semi-final against Australia, India suffered a similar fate as they were bowled out for 233, with Steve Smith scoring a century. Similarly, in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, at the same venue, The Oval, Virat Kohli’s decision to bowl after winning the toss resulted in another resounding defeat.

India’s cricket history seems to be plagued by recurring themes of missed opportunities, questionable decision-making and striking uniformity in crucial matches. As they reflect on this latest disappointment, Indian cricket will undoubtedly strive to break free from this cycle and claim the elusive ICC trophy that has eluded them for a decade.