Suresh Raina recalls 2011 World Cup heroics against Australia, anticipates thrilling final

Two-time champions India are now one step closer to realising their dream of lifting the ODI World Cup title again. India have been a dominant force in the tournament, making a mockery of the opposing teams with both batting and bowling. They will face five-time champions Australia in the final on Sunday, a team they defeated in the tournament opener in Chennai on October 8. For Indian cricket fans, it is a rematch of the two sides' 2003 World Cup final showdown. The Indian team's SWOT analysis before of the 2023 World Cup final showdown is as follows: (PTI Photo)

Skipper Rohit Sharma is providing aggressive starts with the bat, scoring 550 runs thus far, and his intelligent captaincy, as well as bowler rotation, has resulted in India being the only unbeaten team in the league. Other batsmen who have contributed to India's dominance with the bat include Virat Kohli (711 runs, leading the batting statistics), Shubman Gill (346 runs), Shreyas Iyer (526 runs), and KL Rahul (386 runs). Team India has been an unstoppable force in the bowling department, with Mohammad Shami demolishing rival batters and leading the wicket-takers table with 23 scalps. India's bowling attack has been well supported by Jasprit Bumrah (18), Ravindra Jadeja (16), Kuldeep Yadav (15), and Mohammad Siraj (13). (Reuters Photo)

There are several areas of vulnerability in India's otherwise faultless campaign. In Hardik Pandya's absence, Team India has primarily used five bowlers, though Rohit, Kohli, Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav received some bowling practise in their last league encounter against the Netherlands. If one of the bowlers starts leaking runs, Team India doesn't have many options to stop the run flow. Furthermore, with Australia's bowling team at peak form, the batting lineup will have to be wary of them. India was reduced to 2/3 in the tournament opener in Chennai when Kohli and Rahul pulled the team out. They must be cautious of a slip-up situation like this in the final. (AFP Photo)

Team India is in a strong position to win the trophy and continue the host nation's winning streak in the last three Men's ODI World Cups. Given their current form, absolute understanding of the home conditions, and fantastic fan support, Rohit & Co have an excellent chance to end their 10-year trophy drought. If Rohit wins the 2023 World Cup title, he will complete a wonderful redemption arc after missing out on being a member of the World Cup-winning squad in 2011. For others, including Kohli, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that they will remember for years to come. (Reuters Photo)

This is not the Australian team that India faced in the tournament opener in Chennai. Australia appeared less relaxed at the moment and were unable to keep Kohli and Rahul in check with the ball after the early stage. The Australia they will face in the final are on an eight-match unbeaten streak, and they transform into a different beast in the knockouts, as evidenced by their semi-final victory against South Africa. Because Australia are a brutal force once again, India must be on their toes in the final, or else the wait for the trophy would be extended. (AFP Photo)

Two-time champions India are now one step closer to realising their dream of lifting the ODI World Cup title again. India have been a dominant force in the tournament, making a mockery of the opposing teams with both batting and bowling. They will face five-time champions Australia in the final on Sunday, a team they defeated in the tournament opener in Chennai on October 8. For Indian cricket fans, it is a rematch of the two sides' 2003 World Cup final showdown. The Indian team's SWOT analysis before of the 2023 World Cup final showdown is as follows: (PTI Photo)

Skipper Rohit Sharma is providing aggressive starts with the bat, scoring 550 runs thus far, and his intelligent captaincy, as well as bowler rotation, has resulted in India being the only unbeaten team in the league. Other batsmen who have contributed to India's dominance with the bat include Virat Kohli (711 runs, leading the batting statistics), Shubman Gill (346 runs), Shreyas Iyer (526 runs), and KL Rahul (386 runs). Team India has been an unstoppable force in the bowling department, with Mohammad Shami demolishing rival batters and leading the wicket-takers table with 23 scalps. India's bowling attack has been well supported by Jasprit Bumrah (18), Ravindra Jadeja (16), Kuldeep Yadav (15), and Mohammad Siraj (13). (Reuters Photo)

There are several areas of vulnerability in India's otherwise faultless campaign. In Hardik Pandya's absence, Team India has primarily used five bowlers, though Rohit, Kohli, Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav received some bowling practise in their last league encounter against the Netherlands. If one of the bowlers starts leaking runs, Team India doesn't have many options to stop the run flow. Furthermore, with Australia's bowling team at peak form, the batting lineup will have to be wary of them. India was reduced to 2/3 in the tournament opener in Chennai when Kohli and Rahul pulled the team out. They must be cautious of a slip-up situation like this in the final. (AFP Photo)

Team India is in a strong position to win the trophy and continue the host nation's winning streak in the last three Men's ODI World Cups. Given their current form, absolute understanding of the home conditions, and fantastic fan support, Rohit & Co have an excellent chance to end their 10-year trophy drought. If Rohit wins the 2023 World Cup title, he will complete a wonderful redemption arc after missing out on being a member of the World Cup-winning squad in 2011. For others, including Kohli, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that they will remember for years to come. (Reuters Photo)

This is not the Australian team that India faced in the tournament opener in Chennai. Australia appeared less relaxed at the moment and were unable to keep Kohli and Rahul in check with the ball after the early stage. The Australia they will face in the final are on an eight-match unbeaten streak, and they transform into a different beast in the knockouts, as evidenced by their semi-final victory against South Africa. Because Australia are a brutal force once again, India must be on their toes in the final, or else the wait for the trophy would be extended. (AFP Photo)