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SPORTS NOVEMBER 24, 2023 | The Indian Eye 54

On Virat’s wicket that he took,
Cummins said that it was satisfying corners for his aggressive batting ap-
to deny him an opportunity to score proach, which helped India set the
another hundred. tone early in the game and through-
“Yeah, I think so, yeah. Yeah, out the tournament.
we did take a second in the huddle “Yeah, I think he’s been an ex-
just to acknowledge the silence that ceptional leader. You know, Rohit’s
was going around the crowd. Yeah, really led this team fantastically well.
it just felt like it was one of those I think he’s certainly got the dressing
days where it was all made for him room. I just think he’s given so much
to score another hundred like he nor- of his time and energy in the dress-
mally does and yeah that was satisfy- ing room to the boys. He’s always
ing,” he said. been available for any of our conver-
Cummins said that he could sations, any of our meetings. Some-
not be prouder of his team’s perfor- times there’s been a lot of planning,
mance over the last two years, which a lot of strategy that goes in. He’s
has seen them win the T20 World always committed to those things.
Cup title and World Test Champion- He’s given a lot of his personal time,
ship too. energy into this campaign. And his
“Yeah, I mean I do not know, it batting as well, I thought it was fan-
is probably for others to judge that tastic, the way he set the tone for us,”
but yeah, couldn’t be prouder of the Dravid said in a post-match press
team for the last few years. We have conference.
had some tough series but we’ve “We knew that we wanted to
won some amazing series as well play a certain way. We wanted to play
and everyone stood up and we feel a positive attacking brand of cricket.
like we’ve got a great red ball team And he was very committed to doing
and the white ball team has won two that. And he wanted to lead by ex-
trophies in the last few years so it’s, ample. And I thought right through
yeah, things are looking pretty rosy,” the tournament, he was quite superb
he added. in doing that. And yeah, I just can’t
speak more highly of him as a person
“Never expected this, not in a and as a leader,” he added.

million years”: Travis Head Dravid also expressed sympathy
for the players and emphasised the
fter playing a match-winning sacrifices and efforts they made to
knock of 137 runs, it was never reach the World Cup final.
Ain doubt that Australia opener “The boys are disappointed. It
Travis Head would be named Player Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma during a practice session ahead of the ICC Men’s wasn’t, yeah, there was a lot of emo-
of the Match after a standout display Cricket World Cup 2023 final match against Australia on Saturday (ANI) tions in that dressing room. It was
that earned Australia’s men their tough to see as a coach, because
sixth Cricket World Cup title. I know how hard these guys have
After taking Australia to its sixth the brink of victory. bly the unluckiest man in the world. worked, what they’ve put in, the sac-
World Cup title victory, centurion “Never expected this, not in a Again, it’s (fielding) something that rifices they’ve made. So, it’s tough. I
Head expressed his astonishment, million years, truly an exceptional I worked hard on. I couldn’t imagine mean, it’s tough to see that as a coach,
stating that he “never expected this day. Lot better than sitting on the getting a hundred, couldn’t proba- because you get to know these boys
in a million years.” couch at home. Really glad to con- bly imagine holding onto that one. personally. You get to see the effort
Australia opener dominated tribute, the first twenty balls I played Was great to hold on to that catch. they put in, the hard work that we’ve
the Indian bowlers on his way to a gave me a lot of confidence and yea Important to look after your team- put in over the last month, the kind
match-winning knock of 137 in 120 I was able to carry through. The way mates, to be able to do that on the of cricket we’ve played. But yeah, but
balls. And it wasn’t just with the bat Mitch Marsh came out and took the big stage in front of a full house is a that’s sport,” Dravid added.
that Head excelled, with his wonder- game on, he set the tone. That was nice thing.” “That happens. It can happen.
ful catch to remove Rohit Sharma the energy we wanted and we knew And the better team won on the day.
turning the tide in the first innings. the wicket may get tough. It was a “Rohit has been an exceptional And I’m sure that the sun will come
The opener’s unexpected and great decision to bowl first after win- leader”: Dravid up tomorrow morning. We’ll learn
outstanding display of ability and ning the toss. I felt the wicket got bet- from it. We’ll reflect. And we’ll move
drive exemplified the unpredictable ter as the day went on. It took a little ndian head coach Rahul Dra- on, as will everyone else. I mean,
and thrilling character of cricket, bit of spin, it paid dividends. Nice to vid lauded India skipper Rohit that’s what you do as sportsman. You
leaving both fans and players in awe be a part of it, nice to play a role in ISharma for displaying outstand- have some great highs in sport, and
of the moments that unfolded in the all of that,” Head said during the pre- ing leadership abilities and demon- you have some lows in sport. And
high-stakes World Cup final. The match presentation. strating his dedication to leading by you keep moving on. You don’t stop.
pressure was on Head when Aus- Head described India captain example throughout the ICC World Because if you don’t put yourself on
tralia slipped to 47/3 in search of Rohit Sharma, who led his team from Cup 2023 tournament. Despite being the line, you don’t put yourself in
a target of 241 to beat India at the front throughout the 2023 WC tour- the marquee event favourites, India games like these, you don’t experi-
Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmed- nament with some brilliant cricket, were thrashed by Australia, who won ence the great highs. And neither do
abad. But Head produced one of the as “probably the most-unlucky man their record-extending sixth 50-overs you experience the great lows. And if
best knocks of his career, scoring 137 in the world.” World Cup with a six-wicket triumph. you don’t do that, you don’t learn,”
from 120 balls to guide his team to “He’s (Rohit Sharma) proba- Rohit was also praised from all India coach said.

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