World Cup 2023: Australia was a better-planned team in the final – Irfan Pathan

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan reckons Australia was a better-planned team in the all-important final. Australian skipper Pat Cummins made a bold decision to bowl first after winning the toss and the Men in Yellow were able to tick the right boxes.

Australia were brilliant in the field as they saved more than 30 runs. Furthermore, Travis Head took an outstanding catch to dismiss Rohit Sharma while running back. Rohit was going strongly after scoring 31-ball 47 and it was a big wicket for the Aussies.

The Pat Cummins-led had their plans in place and they were able to execute them to perfection. Moreover, they came up with a collective effort, especially in the field.

“I think India lost to a better-planned game. Australia was a better-planned team. The way they planned, starting from the toss, I don’t think any other team could come close to that kind of planning,” said Pathan while talking to Star Sports.

Pathan added India could not get a move on after KL Rahul was dismissed after scoring 66 runs from 106 balls. Ravindra Jadeja and Suryakumar Yadav were also dismissed cheaply as they scored nine and 18 runs respectively.

“It was tough because the Indian team was looking behind, absolutely looking behind to Jadeja and Surya Kumar Yadav. And when KL Rahul got out, I think that was the time when India couldn’t just go ahead. I thought as soon as they knew that there was no cover, no mid-off, they could have used their feet a bit more and tried to rotate the strike and not allow guys like Travis Head to bowl those two overs crucially in between. Mitchell Marsh bowled one over as well,” Pathan added.

Meanwhile, India won the first T20I against Australia by two wickets at Vizag on Thursday. The second T20I between India and Australia will be played at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.