The fireworks from the Indian side have to wait. Because Australia have, once again, shown they are the legends of the 22 yards. After a wonky start to the World Cup, they gathered themselves to reach the top four of the points table, and eventually peaked at the right time to beat favourites India by a six-wicket margin in the summit showdown at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad.

This is Australia's sixth World Cup triumph, with the earlier ones coming in 1987, 2003, 2007, 1999, 2015.

Head takes charge

The architect of Australia’s victory has been southpaw Travis Head, who negotiated the bowling-friendly conditions well, taking the game away from India with a resolute ton. He scored 127 off 120 deliveries, smashing bowlers all round the park with utmost ease. Head also became the third Australian to score a century in an ODI World Cup final, after Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist.

The Narendra Modi stadium, a sea of blue, fell silent when Head effortlessly smashed most deliveries into the stands, leaving no room for ace spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav for a comeback. Standing tall on the other end was Marnus Labuschagne, who stonewalled Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.

Rohit Sharma's 47 not enough

Rohit Sharma has played an attacking role in the entire World Cup. As an opener, his primary job was to give India a good start. But when the situation demanded a calculated innings, he decided to go all guns blazing and ended up losing his wicket to Glenn Maxwell. His quickfire 47 wasn't enough primarily because India were going strong on a wicket that had a lot less for the batsmen. More so, going into an attack mode despite amassing ten runs in an over is never a great idea.

With the required run rate dipping to under four, it turned out to be a cinch for the kangaroos in the last 20 overs of the chase. For a team that can successfully chase 292 -- after being cornered at 91/7 – against a seasoned Afghanistan bowling line-up, chasing a less daunting 241 would’ve been a walk in the park, especially when the dew factor made it worse for the Indian bowling unit.

Virat feat turns bland

Virat Kohli was in stupendous form this World Cup, breaking two records that belonged to Sachin Tendulkar. He notched up his 50th ODI ton, going past Tendulkar's 49-ton tally, and also became the highest scorer in a World Cup with 765 runs. Previously Tendulkar was the highest run-scorer in a single World Cup -- scoring a whopping 673 runs in the 2003 edition. The glory of personal records cannever overwrite the pain of losing a World Cup final.

Ashwin's experience missed on the field?

Going in with an unchanged XI into a final is never a bad idea. But the conditions probably demanded the inclusion of someone like Ravinchandran Ashwin, who has it in him to humble attacking batsmen with his variations and experience. Ashwin featured in no contest in the entire World Cup.

Award winners this edition:

• Virat Kohli emerges as player of the tournament for scoring 765 runs in one edition

• Travis Head takes the Player of the Match award for a match-winning knock

PM Modi arrived at the stadium as India bowl against Australia in World Cup 2023 Final in Ahmedabad. PTI picture