Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram stated that Indian cricket is in a good place despite their 2023 World Cup final loss. India was stunned in the final by Australia as they lost by six wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday.
The hosts could not bring their best in the all-important final against the Aussies as they could only manage 240 runs on the board. Travis Head scored 137 runs in the run-chase as he batted at the top of his game to take Australia to the sixth World Cup title.
On the other hand, India dominated the World Cup throughout as they ticked the right boxes. The home team came up with a collective effort with both bat and ball and delivered as a unit. The Rohit Sharma-led team also won all their 10 matches convincingly and they were a force to reckon with in the league stage.
But India could not cross the final hurdle once again against Australia as their batters let them down in the all-important final.
“Obviously they must be shattered to lose the final but in cricket these things happen. India had one bad day, and unfortunately, it came in the final. You look at their structure, the money for players, the well thought out programs and the back up talent and they really just need to continue doing these things. Their cricket is in a good place,” said Akram while talking to PTI.
Akram recalled how Australia was a different team in the 1999 World Cup final despite beating the Aussies in the group stage.
“I was captain when we played them in the 1999 World Cup final and although we had beaten them in the league stage, in the final they were a different side just like yesterday in Ahmedabad,” Akram added.
India was at their absolute best in the World Cup but unfortunately, they could not deliver in the all-important final against Australia.
India will next take on Australia in the first T20I on Thursday.