IND vs AUS: Why Mohammed Shami and David Warner will hold key to winning the World Cup final

While the Aussie opener has taken most right-hand seamers to the cleaners in the World Cup, the leading wicket-taker has been deadly against left-handers

Mohammed Shami, who has 23 wickets in just six outings at an incredible average of 9.1. Warner, especially, has been in good form, scoring 528 runs at 52.8 with a strike rate of 107.5 at this World Cup

(LEFT) Mohammed Shami has 23 wickets in just six outings at the World Cup; David Warner has scored 528 runs at 52.8 with a strike rate of 107.5 at this World Cup. (PHOTOS: PTI)

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The big match in Ahmedabad on Sunday will see India and Australia clash for the second time in the final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. While India have remained unbeaten in this edition so far, Australia are entering the final on the back of eight consecutive victories. In their encounter earlier in the tournament, India triumphed by six wickets at Chennai.

India vs Australia Live Score, World Cup 2023 Final

Key match-ups according to statistics

Shami against openers

India’s bowling to Australia’s top order will be fascinating to watch and all eyes will be on Mohammed Shami, who has 23 wickets in just six outings at an incredible average of 9.1. His tournament figures against left-handers are even more staggering (Balls 52, Wkts 8, Avg 4, economy rate 3.7). David Warner and Travis Head are capable of providing a flying start for Australia and Shami could be key to nullifying that threat.

David a Goliath against right-arm seamers

Warner, especially, has been in good form, scoring 528 runs at 52.8 with a strike rate of 107.5 at this World Cup. He has been particularly aggressive against right-arm seamers (Runs 228, Avg 45.6, SR 118). India’s pace unit, meanwhile, is the best in the tournament (Wkts 62, Avg: 19.8).

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Zampa the ‘right’ choice

Adam Zampa is Australia’s leading wicket-taker in this World Cup (Wkts 22, Avg 21.4). The leg-spinner was key to his team’s turnaround after a poor start. The significant match-up on Sunday would be his battle against India’s right-hander-heavy batting line-up. Zampa has done extremely well against right-handers (Avg 15.8, SR 17.8) compared to left-handers (Avg 40.6, SR 42.8).

Turning up for the big game

Virat Kohli broke many records in the semifinal, but the most important from an Indian point of view was his first fifty-plus score in an ODI World Cup knockout match. In 2023, India have won 85 percent of matches when Kohli has gone past 50. He has been in astonishing form in the tournament (Inns 10, Runs 711, Avg 101.6, 50s/100s 5/3) and leads the run-scoring chart. Kohli has been equally good against pace (Runs 414, Avg 69) and spin (Runs 297, Outs 1).

Stats as provided by ICC Online Media Zone