Travis Head once again proved to be the stumbling block for India’s victory in an ICC final. Following his remarkable 168-run innings in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-2023 final, Head delivered a standout performance in the World Cup 2023 final, scoring a record-breaking 137 runs.
In the pursuit of 241 runs, he dominated the game on a challenging pitch where even Rohit Sharma struggled to score freely. Post the six-wicket victory with 42 balls to spare, Head, awarded the ‘Player of the Match,’ acknowledged India captain Rohit Sharma’s remarkable catch and dubbed him the unluckiest man in the world.
“He’s probably the unluckiest man in the world. Again, it’s something that I worked hard on,” said Head.
Reflecting on his unexpected achievement, Head expressed surprise at his performance in a World Cup final, stating, “Never expected this, not in a million years. Truly an exceptional day.” He credited the initial confidence gained from the first twenty balls he played and appreciated teammate Mitchell Marsh for setting an energetic tone in the run chase.
Furthermore, Head praised skipper Pat Cummins for choosing to field first, executing plans that restricted India below a par score. He highlighted the wicket’s improvement throughout the day and its responsiveness to spin, emphasizing his satisfaction in playing a crucial role.
With the highest score in a World Cup final run chase, Head joined the elite company of Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist as the third Australian batter to achieve a century in the final.
