The cricket rivalry between India and Australia will take a new turn this year as the two teams will head to London for the ICC World Test Championship Final 2023. India and Australia have finished as the top two teams in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 points table.
The two nations will square off in the WTC Final now. India met New Zealand in the first-ever WTC Final, and the Blackcaps won that game. Now, India will take on the Aussies for the first time in an ICC event final since 2003.
Here’s a look at the Indian playing XI from their previous ICC event final against the Aussies, and where those players are now.
Openers for India in WC 2003 Final against Australia – Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag
The iconic duo of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar opened the batting for India in that game at Johannesburg. Sehwag scored 82 runs off 81 balls, while Sachin managed only four runs. Both openers have now retired and play in leagues of retired players.
Middle Order – Sourav Ganguly, Mohammad Kaif, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh and Dinesh Mongia
Skipper Sourav Ganguly batted in the middle-order along with Mohammad Kaif, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh and Dinesh Mongia. Dravid scored 47 runs, while the others failed to touch the 25-run mark as well.
Dravid works as the coach of India now, while Ganguly recently ended his term as BCCI President. Kaif works as a coach and commentator. Singh plays in T20 leagues outside IPL.
Bowlers for India in WC 2003 Final against Australia – Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Javagal Srinath and Ashish Nehra
Harbhajan Singh was the lead spinner of India in that game. Zaheer Khan formed the pace attack along with Ashish Nehra and Javagal Srinath. The Indian bowlers had a forgettable outing in Johannesburg as they conceded 348 runs in 50 overs to the Aussies. Harbhajan bagged both the wickets that fell in the game, while the others remained wicketless.
All four bowlers have now retired. Harbhajan works as a commentator and plays in leagues of retired cricketers. He has also joined politics. Khan has joined Mumbai Indians team management, whereas Srinath works as a match referee. Nehra is the head coach of IPL team Gujarat Titans.
