Ex Cricketer Gautam Gambhir Slams "Best Team Didn't Win" World Cup Final Verdict
In the finals of the Cricket World Cup 2023, the tables turn as the Indian cricket team, unbeaten in 10 matches in the tournament, suffered a defeat at the hands of Australia, a team they had already beaten once in the league stage. India were touted as the favorites to go the distance in the tournament and end their 12-year wait of winning an ODI World Cup title. But it was the Australian team that emerged triumphant. Speaking of the result, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir said that the best team actually went on to win the World Cup, contrary to the statements some other experts have been making.
In a chat, Gambhir said, "A lot of people might not like it. I heard some of the experts say that the best team has not gone on to win the World Cup. That's absolutely not true. That's one of the bizarre statements that I have heard. It's actually the best team that has won the World Cup. Let's be honest.”
He further explained, "India won 10 matches and were in very good form, so they were favorites. But Australia had also won eight games in a row after losing the first two. Only the best team wins the World Cup. You cannot define it that way—that India won 10 matches but played one poor game. The reality is that the semi-final and the final were the knockout matches. It did not matter whether you finished first or fourth in the league stage.”