Revisiting the top 5 heartbreaking videos from November 19, 2023 World Cup final
It was on this day, last year, that the Indian cricket team and its fans suffered a massive heartbreak - the 2023 World Cup final. The 2023 50-over World Cup took place in India and the hosts had a phenomenal run in the tournament.
Led by captain Rohit Sharma, the Men in Blue were the most consistent and dominant team throughout. They managed to win all nine group-stage matches and finished at the top of the points table with 18 points.
Their brilliant run at the 2023 World Cup continued, where they faced New Zealand in the semi-final. Unlike the 2019 World Cup, India managed to get past the Kiwis this time around, winning the game by 70 runs and progressing to the final.
India faced Australia in the all-important final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023. The stage was set for the Men in Blue to create history, with the opportunity to win another home World Cup after 12 long years.
The hosts went in as favorites, given their stellar form as a team throughout the tournament. However, to the disappointment of the entire nation, fate had other plans for the Indian cricket team.
Batting first, the hosts could only muster 240 runs, which was always going to be a difficult target to defend. Much to the fear of the fans and experts, Australia got past the finish line comfortably, winning by six wickets and with seven overs to spare, clinching the World Cup trophy.
There were several heartbreaking moments from the memorable yet painful 2023 World Cup campaign for India. Exactly one year from that unforgettable day, here we take a look at five videos that show how heartbreaking the defeat in the final was.
Revisiting the top 5 heartbreaking videos from November 19, 2023 World Cup final
#5 A dejected and disappointed crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad
As difficult a defeat as it was to digest for the Indian players, the fans were equally disappointed and in disbelief at what transpired at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023.
The excitement and enthusiasm among the fans had only multiplied given the kind of run India had until the final, entering the summit clash unbeaten. However, the result on that night left the crowd in the stadium thoroughly disappointed, as can be seen in the video below.
#4 India pacer Mohammed Siraj in tears
Playing his maiden ODI World Cup, India pacer Mohammed Siraj had a decent run in the tournament, where he accounted for a total of 14 wickets from 11 games, playing a crucial part in the team's run to the final.
Siraj bowled the 43rd over of Australia's chase and on the final ball of the over, Glenn Maxwell hit the winning runs as Australia clinched the title. They needed just 10 runs when Siraj came in to bowl that over, knowing that there was not much he could have done as the game and the World Cup had already slipped away.
As Maxwell scored the winning runs and the Australians erupted in joy, a dejected Mohammed Siraj was seen in tears, summing up the reaction of pretty much every Indian cricket fan that night.
#3 A dejected Virat Kohli
India's star batter Virat Kohli had a magnificent run at the World Cup, where he scored 765 runs in the tournament, ending as the highest run-getter as well. He slammed three hundreds and six fifties, including a half-century in the final.
However, all these runs eventually came down to nothing in the end as India could not get past the finish line in the final. Despite having a stellar tournament, not being able to win definitely hurt Virat, as he was seen completely dejected after the final.
#2 A disappointed Indian skipper Rohit Sharma
No captain would want to lose a World Cup final, particularly while being the host nation. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma had a great campaign, both as captain and on a personal level with the bat.
He not only scored 597 runs but also led India exceptionally well, taking them to the final on an unbeaten run. The fairytale ending, however, was not meant to be for the Indian skipper and his side.
Rohit was seen truly disappointed after the defeat. His emotions came out as accepting the defeat would certainly not have been easy.
#1 India's dressing room video post the World Cup final defeat
The video begins with a moment of celebration as Virat Kohli is awarded a medal, followed by highlights of the tournament. It showcases Sachin Tendulkar praising Shreyas Iyer for his stellar batting and captures heartwarming moments of camaraderie among the players. However, the tone shifts to a somber note as Rohit Sharma and the Indian cricket team are seen leaving the Narendra Modi Stadium, visibly heartbroken after a tough loss to Australia.
In the aftermath of the defeat, India's fielding coach T Dilip is shown rallying the team's spirits. Dilip also praised the players' intent, energy, and the strong sense of brotherhood they exhibited on the field.
Concluding on a positive note, T Dilip announced Virat Kohli as Team India's Player of the Match, with Ravindra Jadeja presenting the medal. The video ends with Dilip urging the fans to keep supporting Team India.